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F1000Research 2020Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are rare severe blistering skin reactions triggered by medications or infections. Over the last 5 to 10 years, a... (Review)
Review
Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are rare severe blistering skin reactions triggered by medications or infections. Over the last 5 to 10 years, a number of important publications have advanced understanding of these diseases and their response to treatment. Importantly, a subset of patients with disease triggered by infection has been identified as having Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced rash and mucositis, suggesting a reconsideration of the diagnostic paradigm. We present an update on pediatric Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in the broader context of cutaneous adverse drug reactions and focus on challenges and recent advances in diagnosis, management, and prevention.
Topics: Child; Humans; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
PubMed: 32850118
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20419.1 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Nov 2020Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a pillar in the management of advanced malignancies. However, nonspecific immune activation may lead to immune-related... (Review)
Review
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a pillar in the management of advanced malignancies. However, nonspecific immune activation may lead to immune-related adverse events, wherein the skin and its appendages are the most frequent targets. Cutaneous immune-related adverse events include a diverse group of inflammatory reactions, with maculopapular rash, pruritus, psoriasiform and lichenoid eruptions being the most prevalent subtypes. Cutaneous immune-related adverse events occur early, with maculopapular rash presenting within the first 6 weeks after the initial immune checkpoint inhibitor dose. Management involves the use of topical corticosteroids for mild to moderate (grades 1-2) rash, addition of systemic corticosteroids for severe (grade 3) rash, and discontinuation of immunotherapy with grade 4 rash. Bullous pemphigoid eruptions, vitiligo-like skin hypopigmentation/depigmentation, and psoriasiform rash are more often attributed to programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 inhibitors. The treatment of bullous pemphigoid eruptions is similar to the treatment of maculopapular rash and lichenoid eruptions, with the addition of rituximab in grade 3-4 rash. Skin hypopigmentation/depigmentation does not require specific dermatologic treatment aside from photoprotective measures. In addition to topical corticosteroids, psoriasiform rash may be managed with vitamin D analogues, narrowband ultraviolet B light phototherapy, retinoids, or immunomodulatory biologic agents. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and other severe cutaneous immune-related adverse events, although rare, have also been associated with checkpoint blockade and require inpatient care as well as urgent dermatology consultation.
Topics: Drug Eruptions; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Neoplasms
PubMed: 32454097
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.03.132 -
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology Jun 2022Hypersensitivity reactions including IgE-mediated and delayed cell-mediated reactions to aminoglycosides, clindamycin, linezolid, and metronidazole are rare. For... (Review)
Review
Hypersensitivity reactions including IgE-mediated and delayed cell-mediated reactions to aminoglycosides, clindamycin, linezolid, and metronidazole are rare. For aminoglycosides, allergic contact dermatitis is the most frequent reaction for which patch testing can be a useful step in evaluation. For clindamycin, delayed maculopapular exanthems are the most common reactions. There are case reports of clindamycin associated with drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, and symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE). For linezolid, cases of hypersensitivity were exceedingly rare and included urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, delayed rashes, and DRESS. For metronidazole, only rare cases were found across a broad spectrum of reactions including allergic contact dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, angioedema, anaphylaxis, serum sickness-like reaction, SJS/TEN, AGEP, SDRIFE, and a possible case of DRESS. IgE-mediated reactions and anaphylaxis to these types of antibiotics are uncommon, and reports of skin testing concentrations and desensitization protocols are largely limited to case reports and series. Non-irritating skin testing concentrations have been reported for gentamycin, tobramycin, and clindamycin. Published desensitization protocols for intravenous and inhaled tobramycin, oral clindamycin, intravenous linezolid, and oral and intravenous metronidazole have also been reported and are reviewed.
Topics: Aminoglycosides; Anaphylaxis; Angioedema; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clindamycin; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Drug Eruptions; Drug Hypersensitivity; Eosinophilia; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Immunoglobulin E; Linezolid; Metronidazole; Tobramycin
PubMed: 34910281
DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08878-x -
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology Dec 2021Adverse drug reactions involving the skin are commonly known as drug eruptions. Severe drug eruption may cause severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs), which are... (Review)
Review
Adverse drug reactions involving the skin are commonly known as drug eruptions. Severe drug eruption may cause severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs), which are considered to be fatal and life-threatening, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Although cases are relatively rare, approximately 2% of hospitalized patients are affected by SCARs. There is an incidence of 2 to 7 cases/million per year of SJS/TEN and 1/1000 to 1/10,000 exposures to offending agents result in DRESS. However, the mortality rate of severe drug eruptions can reach up to 50%. SCARs represent a real medical emergency, and early identification and proper management are critical to survival. The common pathogenesis of severe drug eruptions includes genetic linkage with HLA- and non-HLA-genes, drug-specific T cell-mediated cytotoxicity, T cell receptor restriction, and cytotoxicity mechanisms. A multidisciplinary approach is required for acute management. Immediate withdrawal of potentially causative drugs and specific supportive treatment is of great importance. Immunoglobulins, systemic corticosteroids, and cyclosporine A are the most frequently used treatments for SCARs; additionally, new biologics and plasma exchange are reasonable strategies to reduce mortality. Although there are many treatment methods for severe drug eruption, controversies remain regarding the timing and dosage of drug eruption. Types, dosages, and indications of new biological agents, such as tumor necrosis factor antagonists, mepolizumab, and omalizumab, are still under exploration. This review summarizes the clinical characteristics, risk factors, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of severe drug eruption to guide clinical management.
Topics: Drug Eruptions; Humans; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 34273058
DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08859-0 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... 2019Cephalosporins are commonly used antibiotics both in hospitalized patients and in outpatients. Hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins are becoming increasingly... (Review)
Review
Cephalosporins are commonly used antibiotics both in hospitalized patients and in outpatients. Hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins are becoming increasingly common with a wide range of immunopathologic mechanisms. Cephalosporins are one of the leading causes for perioperative anaphylaxis and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Patients allergic to cephalosporins tend to tolerate cephalosporins with disparate R1 side chains but may react to other beta-lactams with common R1 side chains. Skin testing for cephalosporins has not been well validated but appears to have a good negative predictive value for cephalosporins with disparate R1 side chains. In vitro tests including basophil activation tests have lower sensitivity when compared with skin testing. Rapid drug desensitization procedures are safe and effective and have been used successfully for immediate and some nonimmediate cephalosporin reactions. Many gaps in knowledge still exist regarding cephalosporin hypersensitivity.
Topics: Anaphylaxis; Basophil Degranulation Test; Cephalosporins; Cross Reactions; Desensitization, Immunologic; Drug Eruptions; Drug Hypersensitivity; Humans; Perioperative Period; Pharmacogenomic Variants; Serum Sickness; Skin Tests; beta-Lactams
PubMed: 31495420
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.06.001 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Sep 2021Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a cutaneous adverse drug reaction characterized by the onset of rash at a fixed location on the body each time a specific medication is... (Review)
Review
Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a cutaneous adverse drug reaction characterized by the onset of rash at a fixed location on the body each time a specific medication is ingested. With each recurrence, the eruption can involve additional sites. Lesions can have overlying vesicles and/or bullae, and when they cover a significant percentage of body surface area, the eruption is referred to as generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE). Due to the widespread skin denudation that can be seen in this condition, GBFDE may be confused clinically with Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN). While treatments described for GBFDE include supportive care, topical and/or systemic steroids, and, recently, cyclosporine, the mainstay of management involves identifying and discontinuing the causative drug. This review article will provide an overview of FDE with an emphasis on its generalized bullous variant.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Eruptions; Humans; Recurrence; Skin; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
PubMed: 34577848
DOI: 10.3390/medicina57090925 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Oct 2020Antineoplastic agents that use the immune system have revolutionized cancer treatment. Specifically, implementation of immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal... (Review)
Review
Antineoplastic agents that use the immune system have revolutionized cancer treatment. Specifically, implementation of immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies that block cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4, programmed cell death protein 1, or programmed cell death ligand 1 show improved and sustained responses in patients with cancer. However, these agents are associated with a plethora of adverse events, many manifesting in the skin. As the clinical application of cancer immunotherapies expands, understanding the clinical and histopathologic features of associated cutaneous toxicities becomes increasingly important to dermatologists, oncologists, and pathologists to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate care. This review discusses cutaneous reactions to immune checkpoint inhibitors, focusing on histopathologic features.
Topics: Acantholysis; Alopecia; Drug Eruptions; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Keratinocytes; Lichenoid Eruptions; Nevus, Pigmented; Panniculitis; Pemphigoid, Bullous; Pruritus; Psoriasis; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Vitiligo
PubMed: 32360716
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.105 -
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Nov 2018Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are associated with a wide range of dermatologic adverse events (dAEs) resulting from common signaling pathways involved in... (Review)
Review
Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are associated with a wide range of dermatologic adverse events (dAEs) resulting from common signaling pathways involved in malignant behavior and normal homeostatic functions of the epidermis and dermis. Dermatologic toxicities include damage to the skin, oral mucosa, hair, and nails. Acneiform rash is the most common dAE, observed in 25-85% of patients treated by epidermal growth factor receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors. BRAF inhibitors mostly induce secondary skin tumors, squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthomas, changes in pre-existing pigmented lesions, as well as hand-foot skin reactions and maculopapular hypersensitivity-like rash. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) most frequently induce nonspecific maculopapular rash, but also eczema-like or psoriatic lesions, lichenoid dermatitis, xerosis, and pruritus. Of the oral mucosal toxicities observed with targeted therapies, oral mucositis is the most frequent with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, followed by stomatitis associated to multikinase angiogenesis and HER inhibitors, geographic tongue, oral hyperkeratotic lesions, lichenoid reactions, and hyperpigmentation. ICIs typically induce oral lichenoid reactions and xerostomia. Targeted therapies and endocrine therapy also commonly induce alopecia, although this is still underreported with the latter. Finally, targeted therapies may damage nail folds, with paronychia and periungual pyogenic granuloma distinct from chemotherapy-induced lesions. Mild onycholysis, brittle nails, and a slower nail growth rate may also be observed. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies often profoundly diminish patients' quality of life, which impacts treatment outcomes. Close collaboration between dermatologists and oncologists is therefore essential.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Dermatology; Drug Eruptions; Hair; Humans; Immunotherapy; Interdisciplinary Communication; Medical Oncology; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Mouth Mucosa; Nails; Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Skin; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30374901
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-018-0384-3 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies that block key mediators of tumor-mediated immune evasion. The frequency of its use has increased rapidly... (Review)
Review
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies that block key mediators of tumor-mediated immune evasion. The frequency of its use has increased rapidly and has extended to numerous cancers. ICIs target immune checkpoint molecules, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), PD ligand 1 (PD-L1), and T cell activation, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4). However, ICI-driven alterations in the immune system can induce various immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that affect multiple organs. Among these, cutaneous irAEs are the most common and often the first to develop. Skin manifestations are characterized by a wide range of phenotypes, including maculopapular rash, psoriasiform eruption, lichen planus-like eruption, pruritus, vitiligo-like depigmentation, bullous diseases, alopecia, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. In terms of pathogenesis, the mechanism of cutaneous irAEs remains unclear. Still, several hypotheses have been proposed, including activation of T cells against common antigens in normal tissues and tumor cells, increased release of proinflammatory cytokines associated with immune-related effects in specific tissues/organs, association with specific human leukocyte antigen variants and organ-specific irAEs, and acceleration of concurrent medication-induced drug eruptions. Based on recent literature, this review provides an overview of each ICI-induced skin manifestation and epidemiology and focuses on the mechanisms underlying cutaneous irAEs.
Topics: Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immunotherapy; Neoplasms; Drug Eruptions
PubMed: 36891313
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1071983 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Feb 2020Bullous drug eruptions are infrequent, but because they pose a challenge both to affected patients and to treating physicians they are considered to be the most severe... (Review)
Review
Bullous drug eruptions are infrequent, but because they pose a challenge both to affected patients and to treating physicians they are considered to be the most severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR). It is important to recognize these conditions and to differentiate them from other clinical entities involving blister formation. There may be early signs and symptoms that indicate a severe bullous drug eruption even before blisters and erosions of the skin and mucous membranes become obvious. Once the diagnosis is suspected, appropriate diagnostic procedures and adequate management must be initiated. The latter includes identification of the potentially inducing drug, although it should be taken into account that not all cases of bullous eruptions are drug-induced. In cases with drug causality the potentially culprit agent must be withdrawn, while in cases with other aetiology the underlying condition, e.g. an infection, must be treated appropriately. In addition to best supportive care, immunomodulating therapy may be considered.
Topics: Biopsy, Needle; Drug Eruptions; Female; Germany; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Immunomodulation; Incidence; Male; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32039459
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3408