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Parisi R, Shah H, Navarini AA, Muehleisen B, Ziv M, Shear NH, Dodiuk-Gad RP. Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis: Clinical Features, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Am J Clin Dermatol 2023:10.1007/s40257-023-00779-3. [PMID: 37156992 PMCID: PMC10166469 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-023-00779-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare, acute, severe cutaneous adverse reaction mainly attributed to drugs, although other triggers, including infections, vaccinations, ingestion of various substances, and spider bites, have also been described. AGEP is characterized by the development of edema and erythema followed by the eruption of multiple punctate, non-follicular, sterile pustules and subsequent desquamation. AGEP typically has a rapid onset and prompt resolution within a few weeks. The differential diagnoses for AGEP are broad and include infectious, inflammatory, and drug-induced etiologies. Diagnosis of AGEP depends on both clinical and histologic criteria, as cases of overlap with other disease processes have been reported. Management includes removal of the offending drug or treatment of the underlying cause, if necessary, and supportive care, as AGEP is a self-limited disease. This review aims to provide an overview and update on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, reported precipitating factors, differentials, diagnosis, and management of AGEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Parisi
- Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hemali Shah
- Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander A Navarini
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beda Muehleisen
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Ziv
- Department of Dermatology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Neil H Shear
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Roni P Dodiuk-Gad
- Department of Dermatology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada.
- Department of Dermatology, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3525433, Israel.
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de Groot AC. Results of patch testing in Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP): a literature review. Contact Dermatitis 2022; 87:119-141. [PMID: 35187690 DOI: 10.1111/cod.14075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The literature on positive patch test results in acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is reviewed. 93 drugs were identified that have together caused 259 positive patch tests in 248 patients suffering from AGEP. The drug classes causing the highest number of reactions are beta-lactam antibiotics (25.9%), other antibiotics (20.8%), iodinated contrast media (7.3%) and corticosteroids (5.4%), together accounting for nearly 60% of all reactions. The highest number of reactions to individual drugs was to amoxicillin (n=36), followed by pristinamycin (n=25), diltiazem (n=14), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (n=13), clindamycin (n=11) and iomeprol (n=8); 59 of the 93 drugs each caused a single case only. The "Top-10" drugs together caused over 50% of all reactions. The sensitivity of patch testing (percentage of positive reactions) in patients with AGEP is largely unknown, but may generally be around 50%, which also applies to pristinamycin. Patch testing in AGEP appears to be safe, although mild recurrence of AGEP skin symptoms or other rashes may occur occasionally. Clinical aspects of AGEP, including epidemiology, etiology and pathophysiology, clinical features, histology, treatment, and prognosis are briefly presented, as are diagnosing the disease and identifying the culprit drugs with patch tests, intradermal tests, in vitro tests, and challenge tests. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton C de Groot
- dermatologist np, Schipslootweg 5, 8351 HV Wapserveen, The Netherlands
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