DRESS syndrome in the setting of oxacillin therapy-a call for better patient preparedness: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome is a rare but severe and potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction, with significant morbidity and mortality. The clinical presentation of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms may include extensive skin rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, internal organ involvement, eosinophilia, and atypical lymphocytosis, most commonly due to drug-induced reaction. Our case is a rare occurrence of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome in the setting of oxacillin therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department on account of acute onset, 2-day history of generalized pruritic rash with associated fever, occurring 3 weeks after commencing therapy with intravenous oxacillin for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. He had no known drug allergies. Two days prior to hospitalization, he had a telehealth visit with the infectious diseases specialist on account of his rash, and was recommended to use oral diphenhydramine. However, with the onset of fever and persistence of his rash, he was advised to discontinue the oxacillin and present to the emergency department. On examination, he was febrile at 101.2 °F and had a generalized blanchable maculopapular and morbilliform rash involving the face, trunk, upper and lower extremities, but sparing the palms, soles, and oral mucosa. He had palpable nontender lymph nodes in the cervical and inguinal regions bilaterally. Laboratory studies revealed atypical lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, neutrophilia, and elevated serum transaminases. He was started on intravenous diphenhydramine and admitted to the in-patient medical service. On the second day of hospitalization, his fever resolved. However, his rash was persistent and generalized, as well as elevated transaminases and an abnormal cell count on the second day of hospitalization. To complete his 6-week course of antibiotics for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, he was switched to an alternative therapy with cefazolin, and he was scheduled for weekly follow-up assessments following hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers should increasingly be aware of the significant morbidity and mortality attributable to drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome and the potential medications which may incite such life-threatening reactions. Early recognition of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome and prompt institution of management strategies can promote improved clinical outcomes. Enhanced patient-provider communication strategies should be implemented to better prepare patients for the likelihood of such drug reactions, with the goal of improving patient-centered care and adherence with treatment strategies.

COVID-19 and restrictive lung disease: A deadly combo to trip off the fine balance.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has so far led to innumerable deaths worldwide. The risk factors so far that have been most studied as poor prognostic factors are old age, individuals with multiple comorbidities and immunocompromised patients. Amongst the chronic lung diseases, most patients with COVID-19 reported so far had asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and interstitial lung disease. Herein, we discuss the significance of restrictive lung disease during the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential risk factor via an example of a patient with kyphoscoliosis who succumbed to death due to COVID-19 pneumonia.