The association between HLA-B*15:02 and phenytoin-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions: a meta-analysis

Aim: Phenytoin (PHT) is a common anticonvulsant agent known for inducing severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). HLA-B*15:02 as a risk factor of PHT-induced SCARs was reported in numerous studies with inconsistent results. This meta-analysis aimed to establish pooling evidence of this association. Materials & methods: Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were estimated using a random-effects model. Results: A total of 11 studies on 1389 patients, were included for the analyses. There was a significant association between HLA-B*15:02 and PHT-induced SCAR (pooled OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.25–4.19, p = 0.008). Furthermore, there was a significant association regarding Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (OR = 3.63, 95% CI: 2.15–6.13, p < 0.001) but no association regarding drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptom. Conclusion: The results supported the recommendations of HLA-B*15:02 screening before treatment with PHT.

Erosive cheilitis as an early manifestation in DRESS syndrome

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is part of Severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Allopurinol, an uric acid-lowering drug, had been incriminated in several cases of Allopurinol-induced Dress syndrome.Through this paper, we present a case of Allopurinol-induced DRESS syndrome with initial oral mucosal involvement.

Cephalosporin-Induced Atypical DRESS Syndrome; a Tale of Two Cases

Introduction: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare, idiosyncratic subset of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome manifesting as skin eruption, fever, lymphadenopathy, hematologic abnormalities, and multi-organ involvement. It presents usually after a latent period of 2 to 6 weeks as a diffuse erythematous rash with systemic symptoms and facial edema. It is now recognized as one of the severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) associated with high mortality, chiefly because of derangement of renal or liver functions. The cutaneous morphologies can be myriad, encompassing maculopapular, exfoliative dermatitis-like, pustular, erythema multiforme-like, Stevens-Johnson syndrome-like, and toxic epidermal necrolysis-like presentations. Case Presentation: We hereby report two young males who developed pruritic exfoliating erythematous rash after taking cephalosporin with paradoxical worsening despite drug withdrawal. They were diagnosed with ‘atypical DRESS syndrome’ according to the Japanese study group severe cutaneous adverse reactions (J-SCAR) criteria and treated successfully with systemic steroids and emollients. The J-SCAR scoring and the concept of atypical DRESS are useful in situations, where either all clinical and laboratory criteria are not present simultaneously, or typical clinical presentations wherein human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) reactivation cannot be documented. Conclusions: These two cases were used to illustrate the hitherto obscure concept of atypical DRESS syndrome that presented with compatible clinical features but did not satisfy all the requisite criteria. We also highlight cephalosporins (one of the most commonly prescribed standard group of drugs) as a plausible but infrequently reported cause of this severe adverse cutaneous drug reaction.

Genetics of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) are T cells-mediated life-threatening immune reactions, most commonly induced by drug. The last decade has seen significant progress in SCARs research. Recent studies have unveiled the pathogenesis of SCARs involved in susceptible genes, including human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and drugs-T cell receptor (TCR) interaction that may trigger T cell activation with downstream immune signaling of cytokines/chemokines and specific cytotoxic proteins releases. Advances in identification of multiple genetic alleles associated with specific drugs related SCARS in different populations is an important breakthrough in recent years for prevention of SCARs. This article summarized the findings on genetic factors related to SJS/TEN, especially for HLA.

Diagnostic Tools and Biomarkers for Severe Drug Eruptions

In accordance with the development of human technology, various medications have been speedily developed in the current decade. While they have beneficial impact on various diseases, these medications accidentally cause adverse reactions, especially drug eruption. This delayed hypersensitivity reaction in the skin sometimes causes a life-threatening adverse reaction, namely Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Therefore, how to identify these clinical courses in early time points is a critical issue. To improve this problem, various biomarkers have been found for these severe cutaneous adverse reactions through recent research. Granulysin, Fas ligands, perforin, and granzyme B are recognized as useful biomarkers to evaluate the early onset of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, and other biomarkers, such as miRNAs, high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), and S100A2, which are also helpful to identify the severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Because these tools have been currently well developed, updates of the knowledge in this field are necessary for clinicians. In this review, we focused on the detailed biomarkers and diagnostic tools for drug eruption and we also discussed the actual usefulness of these biomarkers in the clinical aspects based on the pathogenesis of drug eruption.