IADR Abstract Archives
Is it a DRESS Syndrome Caused by Antibiotics?
Objectives: The aim of this work is to report a case of DRESS syndrome in a patient under antibiotic therapy along with a literature review
Methods: A 38 year old female patient was suspected to have Dress syndrome due to antibiotic administration. Clinical and biological examinations were performed. Also, a literature review was carried out using MEDLINE database using appropriate keywords and criteria
Results: A 38 year old female was put under Cefotaxime-Vancomycin-Metronidazole for a brain empyema for 18 days when she developed a maculopapular rash involving >50% of her body associated with fever ( 39-40°C) and bilateral submandibular lymphadenopathy . Cefotaxime was changed with Levofloxacin. After the administration of intra venous Vancomycin the maculo popular rash extended and the patient had fever. An allergic reaction was then suspected caused by Vancomycin. The Laboratory exams showed WBC= 7270, eosinophilia=17% and LDH=256. The patient was then put under Levofloxacin and Rifampicin. DRESS syndrome was suspected and histaminic drugs were administrated. Latency from introduction and clinical worsening following re-exposure indicated Vancomycin was the likely inciter of DRESS.
DRESS is a rare, severe multiorgan adverse drug reaction. Antiepileptics and antibiotics are the most frequently reported causative agents.It is defined as presence of fever, skin eruption, hematologic abnormalities and systemic involvement. Withdrawal of the causal drug, administration of systemic corticosteroid or antihistaminic drugs are the mainstay of treatment. The majority of patients recover completely with proper treatment but the absence of treatement can even cause death .
Conclusions: We report a case of a possible DRESS syndrome secondary to antibiotherapy. It has a potentially life-threatening nature and needs quick and proper management.
Methods: A 38 year old female patient was suspected to have Dress syndrome due to antibiotic administration. Clinical and biological examinations were performed. Also, a literature review was carried out using MEDLINE database using appropriate keywords and criteria
Results: A 38 year old female was put under Cefotaxime-Vancomycin-Metronidazole for a brain empyema for 18 days when she developed a maculopapular rash involving >50% of her body associated with fever ( 39-40°C) and bilateral submandibular lymphadenopathy . Cefotaxime was changed with Levofloxacin. After the administration of intra venous Vancomycin the maculo popular rash extended and the patient had fever. An allergic reaction was then suspected caused by Vancomycin. The Laboratory exams showed WBC= 7270, eosinophilia=17% and LDH=256. The patient was then put under Levofloxacin and Rifampicin. DRESS syndrome was suspected and histaminic drugs were administrated. Latency from introduction and clinical worsening following re-exposure indicated Vancomycin was the likely inciter of DRESS.
DRESS is a rare, severe multiorgan adverse drug reaction. Antiepileptics and antibiotics are the most frequently reported causative agents.It is defined as presence of fever, skin eruption, hematologic abnormalities and systemic involvement. Withdrawal of the causal drug, administration of systemic corticosteroid or antihistaminic drugs are the mainstay of treatment. The majority of patients recover completely with proper treatment but the absence of treatement can even cause death .
Conclusions: We report a case of a possible DRESS syndrome secondary to antibiotherapy. It has a potentially life-threatening nature and needs quick and proper management.