Vancomycin-associated linear IgA disease mimicking toxic epidermal necrolysis

Abstract Linear IgA dermatosis is a rare subepidermal autoimmune blistering disease characterized by linear deposition of IgA along the basement membrane zone. In the last three decades, many different drugs have been associated with the drug-induced form of the disease, especially vancomycin. We report a case of vancomycin-induced linear IgA disease mimicking toxic epidermal necrolysis. The aim of this work is to emphasize the need to include this differential diagnosis in cases of epidermal detachment and to review the literature on the subject and this specific clinical presentation.

Dermatological adverse reactions to cancer chemotherapy.

The new targeted anticancer drugs as well as the older traditional chemotherapy agents are associated with adverse effects on skin, hair, nails and mucosa. These toxic effects can cause great distress to the patient leading to decreased quality of life and interruption in treatment. Aims: To study the mucocutaneous adverse effects of both single and combined chemotherapy regimens in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We studied 53 cancer patients attending the oncology outpatient department or those admitted in the oncology ward of Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangalore between October 2012 and September 2013. The adverse effects of chemotherapy on skin, hair, nails and mucosa were noted. Results: The most common adverse effects observed in the study were nail changes in 33 (62.2%) patients, followed by hair changes in 20 (37.7%) patients, skin changes in 19 (33.9%) patients, and mucosal changes in 2 (3.7%) patients. The skin changes were acneiform rash in 5 (27.7%) patients, xerosis in 4 (22.2%) patients, hyperpigmentation in 4 (22.2%) patients, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, hand foot syndrome, extravasation, erythema nodosum, and supravenous hyperpigmentation in 1 patient each. The most common nail fi nding was melanonychia seen in 26 (78.7%) patients. Hair changes were in the form of anagen effl uvium seen in 20 (37.7%) patients. Mucosal changes seen were pigmentation of tongue and stomatitis in one case each. Limitations: Sample size is small. Conclusions: While these side effects are generally not life-threatening, they can be a source of signifi cant morbidity. Knowledge about the adverse effects of anti-cancer drugs will help in accurate diagnosis and management, thereby improving the quality of life.

Farmacodermias en la infancia / Childhood cutaneous drug reactions

Las reacciones cutáneas a drogas son frecuentes en la infancia y tienen un alto impacto en la salud de los niños. Desde el punto de vista de sus manifestaciones clínicas, pueden presentarse en forma muy disímil: desde un exantema transitorio sin repercusión sistémica hasta cuadros de necrosis epidérmicas diseminadas con compromiso sistémico, potencialmente fatales. La rápida detección y la instauración del tratamiento adecuado, al igual que la identificación y suspensión del agente causal, son esenciales para prevenir la progresión de la reacción, así como también evitar futuras exposiciones y asegurar el uso adecuado de los fármacos. El objetivo de este artículo es el reconocimiento de las diversas reacciones cutáneas adversas a fármacos, así como el manejo y pronóstico de las mismas.

Pustulosis exantemática aguda generalizada: a proposito de un caso / Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: a report of a case

La pustulosis exantemática aguda generalizada (PEAG) es una patología poco frecuente en la población general y más rara aún en la infancia. Cursa con fiebre y una erupción de pequeñas pústulas estériles, no foliculares, sobre base eritematosa, que comienza en rostro o pliegues para luego generalizarse y resuelve con descamación en 4 a 10 días. El hallazgo histopatológico característico es la presencia de pústulas espongióticas intraepidérmicas. La mayoría de los casos es gatillada por drogas sistémicas, pero también puede ocurrir luego de infecciones. El tratamiento incluye la suspensión de la droga desencadenante si la hubiere y el uso de corticoides tópicos o sistémicos. Presentamos un varón de 12 años de edad que consultó por fiebre, eritema generalizado y pústulas, que aparecieron 48 horas luego de la ingesta de acetaminofén. El diagnóstico clínico presuntivo de PEAG fue confirmado con biopsia de piel. Se indicó suspensión del acetaminofén y se manejó ambulatoriamente con corticoides tópicos, presentando resolución completa del cuadro. Destacamos que la PEAG es una patología rara en la infancia y que en la literatura se describe un único caso asociado a la ingesta de acetaminofén

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is an extremely rare condition in the general population and even more in children. Clinically it consists on an eruption of small, sterile and nonfollicular pustules on an erythematous background, beginning in the face or intertriginous areas that then generalized and resolve with desquamation in 4 to 10 days together with fever. Main histopathological findings are spongiotic intraepidermal pustules. Most cases are triggered by systemic drugs but they can also follow some infections. Treatment includes suspension of the responsible drug and the use of topical or systemic corticosteroids. We describe a 12-year-old boy that presented fever and generalized erythema and pustules that appeared 48 hours after the intake of acetaminophen. Clinical diagnosis of AGEP was confirmed by a skin biopsy. Acetaminophen discontinuation was indicated together with topical corticosteroids and complete resolution was achieved. We highlight that AGEP is uncommon in children and that the literature reports only one case secondary to acetaminophen consumption

Cutaneous reactions simulating erythema multiforme and Stevens Johnson syndrome due to occupational exposure to a plant-growth regulator.

BACKGROUND: In India, hydrogen cyanamide (Dormex) is a plant growth regulator used mainly for the bud-breaking of grapevines. The use of this chemical may result in severe cutaneous reactions simulating erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). METHODS: Studies were conducted on four seasonal grapevine workers who developed severe cutaneous reactions following the unprotected use of Dormex (hydrogen cyanamide). RESULTS: Two of the patients had EM-like skin lesions and the other two developed SJS-TEN-like skin lesions. A latent period of 5-7 days existed between the contact with the chemical and the development of the skin lesions. The histopathological picture was suggestive of EM. All the patients responded to systemic steroids and antihistamines. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogen cyanamide may act as a hapten, initiating cytotoxic immunological attack on keratinocytes, resulting in EM- and SJS-TEN-like clinical picture. Awareness regarding such severe cutaneous reactions due to the inappropriate handling of Dormex is required. The use of personal protection equipment while handling agricultural chemicals is essential.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP): case report

A pustulose exantemática aguda generalizada (AGEP) é uma dermatose induzida por droga, caracterizada por episódio agudo de aparecimento de pústulas estéreis sobre base eritemato-edematosa, acompanhado de febre. Este quadro regride espontâneamente após a suspensão da droga ou em resultado do tratamento com corticóide sistêmico. As principais drogas envolvidas são agentes antifúngicos, antiinflamatórios não hormonais, analgésicos, antiarrítmicos e anticonvulsivantes. Histologicamente caracteriza-se por vasculite associada a pústulas subcórneas não foliculares. Relatamos caso de paciente branca, feminina, que se apresentou com lesões pustulosas generalizadas após o uso de cefalosporina. O diagnóstico foi confirmado pelos achados clínicos e histológicos; pela resolução do quadro após a suspensão da droga e pela introdução de corticóide sistêmico, e pela recorrência após a introdução de droga similar. A importância do reconhecimento deste tipo de dermatose induzida por droga reside na necessidade importante de seu diagnóstico diferencial, clínico e histológico, com a psoríase pustulosa generalizada e a pustulose subcórnea, particularmente no que tange às opções terapêuticas que se apresentam para o tratamento das mesmas.

Pustulose exantemática aguda generalizada / Generalized acute exanthematic pustulose

Relato de caso de pustulose exantemática aguda generalizada devida a ampicilina, parecendo tratar-se do primeiro relato na literatura brasileira. É feita breve revisäo bibliográfica, enfatizando-se os critérios definidos para o diagnóstico.

O níquel e suas açöes sobre o organismo humano: revisäo / The nickel and its effects on the human organism: review

Apresenta-se uma revisäo das principais açöes do níquel sobre o organismo humano, desde a fase de mineraçäo e refino do níquel, onde os riscos de câncer, afecçöes, pulmonares e dermatoses säo analisados. A disidrose pelo níquel é discutida e coloca-se dúvida quanto a sua causa, real pela ingestäo de níquel através de alimentos, utensílios niquelados e outros. A reaçäo sistêmica e local às próteses metálicas com níquel säo também discutidas e säo analisadas as incidências do níquel como produtor de dermatoses em ambos os sexos. Medidas preventivas säo discutidas com sugestöes práticas em cada fase