Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is characterized by fever, rash and internal organ involvement, mostly in form of hepatitis, myocarditis, nephritis or pneumonitis, which may occur 1–8 weeks after medicine exposure. Fever is an early feature, usually preceding a widespread erythematous skin eruption, but the severity of the skin-related changes does not correlate with the extent of internal organ involvement. It is considered that anticonvulsants (particularly carbamazepine), antibiotics, allopurinol are the most frequent causative agents of DIHS. The underlying mechanisms causing DIHS are poorly understood - defective detoxification of the reactive drug’s metabolites or genetic predisposition have been implicated. Diagnosis of DIHS is based on clinical presentation connected with drug intake, supported by a finding of eosinophilia, increased concentration of inflammation markers and abnormal biochemical parameters, mainly liver function tests. Treatment consists of immediate withdrawal of all suspected medicines, followed by supportive systemic corticosteroids. We describe a case of a 72-years-old female who developed symptoms of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome after approximately 4 weeks of taking anticonvulsant (Amizepin) due to sensual axonal polyneuropathy. Withdrawal of drug and treatment with systemic corticosteroids caused clinical improvement rapidly.
Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 1: 52-56