A case of toxic epidermal necrolysis caused by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Jharendra P Rijal; Tiffany Pompa; Smith Giri; Vijaya Raj Bhatt

doi:10.1136/bcr-2013-203163

A case of toxic epidermal necrolysis caused by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

BMJ Case Rep. 2014 Jul 9:2014:bcr2013203163. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-203163.

Authors

Jharendra P Rijal¹, Tiffany Pompa², Smith Giri³, Vijaya Raj Bhatt⁴

Affiliations

¹ Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
² Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York, USA.
³ University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
⁴ University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

Abstract

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare but serious dermatological emergency characterised by diffuse exfoliation of the skin and mucous membranes due to immune mediated destruction of the epidermis which can lead to sepsis and respiratory distress. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is a widely used antibiotic which can rarely lead to TEN. Early diagnosis and aggressive medical care is essential for the reduction of high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. We present a case of successfully recovered TEN due to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in a 62-year-old woman.

2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
Antibiotic Prophylaxis / methods
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Early Diagnosis
Female
Fluid Therapy*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Middle Aged
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / diagnosis*
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / pathology
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / therapy
Treatment Outcome
Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / administration & dosage
Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / adverse effects*
Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy*
Wound Healing*

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination