Toxic epidermal necrolysis from griseofulvin

Antifungal hypersensitivity reactions and cross-reactivity patterns

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this article is to provide an updated understanding and evidence-based approach where possible for antifungal hypersensitivity. This includes recognition of clinical phenotype, implications for cross-reactivity and diagnostic, and management strategy for immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Antifungal hypersensitivity reactions can be classified according to their latency (immediate or delayed) and clinical phenotype. The majority of the cases described in the literature are delayed T-cell mediated reactions of various severities but immediate reactions consistent with non-Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated mast cell activation and IgE-mediated reactions have also been described. Ancillary information such as skin testing, drug challenge and ex vivo experimental approaches can aid causality assessments and inform antifungal class cross-reactivity, which help optimize antifungal prescribing and stewardship.

SUMMARY

This review will update the clinician on mechanisms of drug hypersensitivity as well as providing a structured approach to the recognition, diagnosis and management of antifungal hypersensitivity reaction.

[Severe cutaneous drug reactions to misused griseofulvin: 2 cases]

BACKGROUND

Griseofulvin is an antifungal drug known to cause drug rash. However, it is widely prescribed outside its classic indications. Herein, we describe 2 cases in which griseofulvin was prescribed for off-label indications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Case No. 1. A 51-year-old woman was referred to the department of internal medicine for management of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The symptoms appeared 17 days after she had taken griseofulvin for inguinal intertrigo. Case No. 2. A 19-year-old female patient consulted for toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) affecting 30% of her body surface, with a positive Nikolsky sign and severe mucosal lesions. These symptoms appeared 9 days after she began taking griseofulvin, which had initially been prescribed for her husband for mycosis.

DISCUSSION

Toxic epidermal necrolysis, a condition chiefly of drug-related origin, is a severe mucocutaneous syndrome characterized by massive keratinocytic apoptosis. Although there are few scientific publications referring to griseofulvin-induced drug eruption, they deserve to be mentioned since this drug is widely used for purposes other than the approved indications and can cause life-threatening reactions.

CONCLUSION

We report two cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis related to the misuse of griseofulvin. It is important to bear in mind the precautions for use of oral antifungal drugs, which are strictly reserved for use against resistant or diffuse forms of mucocutaneous fungal infections.

Treatment of tinea capitis

OBJECTIVE

To review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, mycology, clinical presentation, and pharmacotherapy of tinea capitis, and describe the role of newer antimycotic agents.

DATA SOURCES

A MEDLINE search restricted to English-language articles published from 1966 through 1996 and journal references were used in preparing this review.

DATA EXTRACTION

The data on mycology, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and drug interactions were obtained from controlled studies and case reports appearing in the literature. Both open-label and comparative studies were evaluated to assess the efficacy of antimycotics in the treatment of this infection.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Griseofulvin is the drug of choice in the treatment of tinea capitis. Newer agents with greater efficacy or shorter treatment durations continue to be explored. Ketoconazole, the first azole studied for efficacy in tinea capitis, has not demonstrated any clinical advantage over griseofulvin in several controlled clinical trials. Itraconazole is effective, but the available data are limited to case reports and a single uncontrolled study. Terbinafine similarly has shown promise in the treatment of tinea capitis, but the oral formulation was only recently approved in the US. Existing studies reflect the results in infection with pathogens not seen in the US. Both itraconazole and terbinafine achieve high concentrations in the hair and stratum corneum that persist for several weeks following drug administration. This may enable shorter courses of therapy; however, comparative studies need to be conducted in the US.

CONCLUSIONS

Tinea capitis remains the most common dermatophyte infection in young urban children. Oral antifungal therapy is required for effective treatment, often for several months. The combination of griseofulvin with a selenium sulfide shampoo continues to be the mainstay of therapy until more experience is gained with the newer antimycotics.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, drug-induced, life-threatening syndrome with widespread epidermal loss and mucosal erosions. The classification, pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment are discussed in this review. Prognosis has improved as admission to a burns unit and early treatment of infection has become standard management. The role of corticosteroids in treatment is still controversial.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis: a review

This article reviews the many facets of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Emphasis is placed on the importance of early diagnosis, burn unit placement, supportive care, and avoidance of systemic steroids. Discussion also includes other therapeutic options and the pathophysiology of the disease.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell syndrome)

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is perhaps the most formidable disease encountered by dermatologists. Uncommon but not rare, toxic epidermal necrolysis occurs in 60 to 70 persons per year in France. It remains as puzzling a disorder as it was 34 years ago, when described by Lyell. Whether or not toxic epidermal necrolysis is the most severe form of erythema multiforme is still the subject of discussion. The physiopathologic events that lead to this rapidly extensive necrosis of the epidermis are not understood. Indirect evidence suggests a hypersensitivity reaction, but the search for potential immunologic mechanisms has resulted in little data to support this hypothesis. Accumulated clinical evidence points to drugs as the most important, if not the only, cause of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Sulfonamides, especially long-acting forms, anticonvulsants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and certain antibiotics are associated with most cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Many other drugs have been implicated in isolated case reports. All organs may be involved either by the same process of destruction of the epithelium as observed in the epidermis or by the same systemic consequences of "acute skin failure" as seen in patients with widespread burns. Sepsis is the most important complication and cause of death. Approximately 20% to 30% of all patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis die. Elderly patients and patients with extensive lesions have a higher mortality rate. Surviving patients completely heal in 3 to 4 weeks, but up to 50% will have residual, potentially disabling ocular lesions. The prognosis is improved by adequate therapy, as provided in burn units, that is, aggressive fluid replacement, nutritional support, and a coherent antibacterial policy. Corticosteroids, advocated by some in high doses to halt the "hypersensitivity" process, have been shown in several studies to be detrimental and should be avoided.

[Fatal Lyell's syndrome caused by griseofulvin]

A case of toxic epidermolysis (TE) with a fatal outcome is reported. It occurred after administration of 500 mg griseofulvin twice daily in a 19-year-old female patient. She developed the first skin lesions on the sixth day of treatment. All the body surface was involved, except for the scalp. Several complications arose in the course of the disease, thrombocytopaenia, lymphocytopaenia, rhabdomyolysis, and non cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Death occurred as a result of multiple organ failure following septic shock associated with adult respiratory distress syndrome. The pathogenesis of these complications and the major therapeutic difficulties encountered are discussed. The involvement of griseofulvin in TE has only been reported once before. The arguments in favour of its involvement in the present case are discussed.