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Miura T, Yamamoto T. Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and psoriasis. Our Dermatol Online. 2018;9(4):466-467.
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Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and psoriasis

Takako Miura, Toshiyuki Yamamoto

Department of Dermatology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan

Corresponding author: Prof. Toshiyuki Yamamoto, E-mail: toyamade@fmu.ac.jp

Submission: 15.03.2018; Acceptance: 10.05.2018

DOI: 10.7241/ourd.20184.32

Sir,

Co-existence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and psoriasis is relatively rare. We herein describe a rare case of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) in a patient with SLE and psoriasis vulgaris, induced by an anticonvulsant.

A 39-year-old man was diagnosed with SLE at the age of 28. Seven years later, he developed psoriasis (Figs. 1a and 1b), and was treated with topical corticosteroids and vitamin D3 ointment. Moreover, he had aortic regurgitation (AR), and underwent aortic valve replacement. After the operation, he developed convulsions, and carbamazepine (TegretolR; 200 mg/day) was administered. Four weeks later, he developed itchy eruptions on the trunk and extremities, with a fever reaching up to 40°C. On physical examination, erythema multiforme-like lesions were spread on the trunk and extremities (Fig. 1c). TegretolR was discontinued, but one week later, erosions of the oral mucosa appeared (Fig. 1d), and the erythema on the trunk coalesced with purpura. Inguinal lymphadenopathy was observed. Laboratory data showed a normal white blood cell count (6300/µl), with a differential count of 58% neutrophils and 21% eosinophils, elevated AST (66 IU/l) and ALT (116 IU/l) levels. Serum anti-nuclear antibody was positive (1:320, homogenous), whereas anti-DNA antibody was within normal ranges and hypocomplementemia was not detected. A biopsy specimen from the abdomen revealed apoptotic keratinocytes and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration composed of mononuclear cells and eosinophils in the edematous upper dermis (Fig. 2). Before the onset of drug eruption, the patient’s SLE was treated with oral prednisolone (12.5 mg/day); however the eruption was improved by escalating the dose of prednisolone to 25 mg/day. A lymphocyte transformation test using TegretolR was weakly positive (S.I. 188%), and HHV-6 IgG titer (1:10) was elevated (1:640) six weeks later. HLA-A and -B genotyping revealed HLA-A*1101, A*3101, B*1501, and B*3501.

The co-existence of psoriasis and SLE is sometimes seen, and both diseases share some common pathogenesis, such as Th1/Th17 type-dominant cytokine imbalance, plasmacytoid dendritic cell activation via Toll-like receptors, and interferon-α release. Our patient developed psoriasis seven years after the diagnosis of SLE. Furthermore, he had AR and received operation at the remission phase of SLE. Four weeks after administration of an anticonvulsant drug, he developed DIHS, which fulfilled the Japanese criteria, without exacerbation of either SLE or psoriasis. It is known that several autoimmune disorders, including SLE, are induced after DIHS was improved [1,2], possibly due to functional defects of regulatory T cells (Tregs) [3]. However, our case developed SLE before the occurrence of DIHS, and thus the development of SLE was unassociated with DIHS. Patients with SLE have an increased risk of developing adverse cutaneous drug eruption [4], and cases such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) rarely occurs in patients with SLE [5].

To date, only one suspected case of SLE has been reported to develop drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [6]. HLA-A*3101 is significantly associated with susceptibility to carbamazepine-induced adverse drug reactions in Japanese population [7]. Our case also had HLA-A*3101, therefore may have developed DIHS unassociated with SLE itself.

CONSENT

The examination of the patient was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki principles.

REFERENCES

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2. Aota N, Hirahara K, Kano Y, Fukuoka T, Yamada A, Shiohara T. Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with Kikuchi-Fujimoto’s disease as a long-term sequela of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome: a possible role of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation. Dermatology. 2009;218:275-77.

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4. Hernández-Salazar A, Rosales SP, Rangel-Frausto S, Criollo E, Archer-Dubon C, Orozco-Topete R. Epidemiology of adverse cutaneous drug eruptions: a prospective study in hospitalized patients. Arch Med Res. 2006;37:899-902.

5. Horne NS, Narayan AR, Young RM, Frieri M. Toxic epidermal necrolysis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmun Rev. 2006;5:160-4.

6. Chen Y-C, Chang C-Y, Cho Y-T, Chiu H-C, Chu C-Y. Long-term sequelae of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: a retrospective cohort study from Taiwan. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:459-65.

7. Ozeki T, Mushiroda T, Yowang A, Takahashi A, Kubo M, Shirakata Y, et al. Genome-wide association study identifies HLA-A*3101 allele as a genetic risk factor for carbamazepine-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions in Japanese population. Hum Mol Genet. 2011;20:1034-41.

Notes

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: None declared.