Clinical characteristics, culprit drugs and outcome of patients with Acute Generalised Exanthematous Pustulosis seen in Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru

ABSTRACT

Background: Acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis(AGEP) is a rare, cutaneous reaction characterised bysudden onset of numerous, non-follicular, sterile pustuleson oedematous erythematous skin, accompanied by feverand neutrophilia. AGEP is predominantly drug-induced. Skinlesions appear rapidly within 1-3 days of drug exposure andupon drug withdrawal, resolve rapidly within 15 days.Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics, culpritdrugs and outcome of patients with AGEP.Methods: A retrospective note review of all AGEP patientsseen from 2001-2015.Results: Among 21 AGEP patients, 76% were Malays, 9.5%Chinese, 9.5% Indians, and 5% Iban. Sixteen were femalesand 5 were males. Median age of patients was 40 years (IQR26). The main culprit drug was amoxicillin (10 cases),followed by cloxacillin (three cases), phenytoin (two cases)and one case each of carbamazepine, sulphasalazine,allopurinol, cephalexin, ceftriaxone, celecoxib and herbalproduct. The median time from drug initiation to onset ofAGEP was 3 days (IQR 5.5). Fever was documented in 52.4%, mucosal involvement 9.5%, purpura 4.7% and blisters4.7%. Neutrophilia was observed in 63.6% of patients andeosinophilia in 28.5%. While most patients requiredadmission (67%), all achieved complete recovery within 15days without any sequela.