Journal of Allergy & Therapy

Recurrent Cutaneous Bullous Lesions: Think of Fixed Drug Eruption!

Salma Salim^1*, Mariame Meziane¹, Nadia Ismaili¹, Laila Benzekri¹, Karima Senouci¹, Kaoutar Znati², Amina Tebaa³ and Badredine Hassam^{1 1}Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
²Department of Histopathology, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
³Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center of Morocco, Rabat, Morocco
^*Correspondence: Salma Salim, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Morocco, Tel: +212651705575, Email:

Received: 29-Jan-2019 Published: 26-Feb-2019

Introduction

Fixed Drug Eruption (FDE) is a cutaneous drug reaction made of one or few centimetric lesions, relapsing in the same area and leaving residual pigmentation [1]. Bullous Forms (BFDE) are rare but can be serious in case of generalized forms

Case Report

We report a case of a 50-year-old man without significant past medical history. He consulted in the emergency department for a skin eruption that occurred 12 hours after taking a Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazol (TS) tablet of 400 mg for an episode of diarrhea. The patient reported similar eruption two years ago after a drug intake too. Dermatological examination revealed a bullous eruption sitting on an erythematous base in the trunk, the proximal limbs and the glans. Nikolsky sign was positive and the peeled surface area was estimated at 7% (Figures 1A-1C). BFDE was strongly suspected and drug intake stopped. Declaration to Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Centre was made and incriminated the TS. Cutaneous biopsy was made and objectived a sub-epidermal blister with some keratinocyte necrosis and vacuolization of basal cells, associated to dermal edema with some melanophages and an important polymorphous infiltrate (Figures 2A and 2B). A treatment based on topical corticosteroids and antihistamine drugs was instituted with good clinical improvement(Figures 3A-3C). A certificate indicating the responsibility of TS has been given to the patient prohibiting any further taking of the latter and all similar drugs of the same family.

Figure 1(A-C): Initial clinical pictures showing a skin eruption made of erythematous and edematous rounded plaques with blisters and a positive Nikolsky sign, sitting on the trunk; the proximal limbs and the glans.

Figure 2 (A and B): Histological pictures (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnifications A ×40, B ×400) revealing a sub-epidermic blister with some keratinocyte necrosis and vacuolization of basal cells associated to dermal edema with some melanophages and an important polymorphous infiltrate.

Figure 3 (A-C): Clinical comparative pictures showing a very good improvement 20 days after drug interruption and treatment by topical corticosteroids.

Discussion

FDE is a recurrent eruption leaving residual pigmentation. It is the only pathognomonic clinical form of cutaneous drug reaction [1]. This is a model of delayed hypersensitivity to drug reaction mediated by CD8 T cells [2,3]. The prevalence of the FDE varies considerably from one country to another, from less than 1% of drug reactions in Switzerland to 70% in West Africa [1,4]. The onset is rapid made of itch and localized burns followed by the appearance of one or few erythematous or brown and edematous plaques, rounded or oval, centimetric, occurring 1 to 4 days after the first dose, and few hours after readministration.

The improvement is good in few days with residual pigmentation [1]. Bullous forms are rare and can be localized or generalized as pseudo-Lyell type. Histological examination shows vacuolization of basal cells, sometimes with keratinocyte necrosis, sub-epidermic blister, dermal edema and perivascular lympho-histiocytic infiltrate. Patch tests could be especially interesting if several drugs are suspected. However, they are not necessary to make the diagnosis and their sensibility is not very important and varies from one series to another [3,5]. Declaration of pharmacovigilance is mandatory. The most implicated drugs are phenazone, barbiturates, carbamazepine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclins and sulfonamides, as in our patient [1,4]. Differential diagnosis between BFDE and Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Lyell syndrome could be made according to chronological, clinical and histological criteria in addition to bibliographic data provided by pharmacovigilance centre [1,6]. There is no specific treatment of the disease and the management remains symptomatic. The use of topical and sometimes systemic corticosteroids may reduce the inflammation. In case of generalized BFDE, severity is related to the importance of the peeled or peelable surface. When it is greater than 10%, the patient should be hospitalized and symptomatic treatment established joining that of Lyell syndrome [1,7]. Prevention is based on the identification and definitive eviction of the responsible drug and all similar drugs of the same family. The prognosis is close to that of Lyell syndrome with an equal affected cutaneous surface [7].

Conclusion

FDE is most often a benign type of cutaneous drug reaction. Bullous forms are rare but could be severe in case of generalized form.

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