QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Résumé Extracto Full Text PDF Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Articles Ahead of Print [Order Reprint] Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Liberopoulos, E. N Articles by Elisaf, M. S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Liberopoulos, E. N Articles by Elisaf, M. S

Possible Cefotaxime-Induced Stevens–Johnson Syndrome

House Officer, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

George L Liamis, MD

Consultant of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina

Moses S Elisaf, MD FACA FRSH

Professor of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina

Reprints: Moses S Elisaf MD FACA FRSH, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece, FAX 3026510-97016, E-mail egepi{at}cc.uoi.gr

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of possible cefotaxime-induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS).

CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old woman with an upper urinary tract infection developed erosions and blisters on the skin and the mucous membranes, as well as fever and prostration, soon after the administration of cefotaxime. This presentation is consistent with the features of SJS. Resolution of the clinical manifestations was observed after discontinuation of the drug; all other drugs, infections, or immunologic disorders that could have caused this syndrome were carefully excluded. An objective causality assessment revealed that SJS was possibly associated with the use of cefotaxime.

DISCUSSION: Although cephalosporins have been associated with an increased risk for SJS and cefotaxime has been suspected of being associated with SJS in a previous case–control study, this is the first full report for cefotaxime-related SJS in the literature. An immunologically mediated reaction may be the underlying mechanism.

CONCLUSIONS: Although cefotaxime administration seems to be the underlying cause of the SJS observed in our patient, establishment of a definite causal relationship requires additional cases and supportive data.

Key Words: cefotaxime, erythema multiforme, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis