Dear Label_Name,

Greetings! I hope you are well.

I am writing on behalf of an international publishing house, Science and Education Publishing, USA (http://www.sciepub.com).

Science and Education Publishing (SciEP) is a multidisciplinary open access publisher of Journals covering the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine. All SciEP publications are subject to high-quality peer review, editorial and production processes and are freely available online.

Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
American Journal of Public Health Research
American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
American Journal of Zoological Research
Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Biomedical Science and Engineering

We are pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for peer review for all the journals across all our subject areas in SciEP.

Please submit your manuscript via our online submission system:
http://www.sciepub.com/author/signin

To unsubscribe from our mailing list, please click on the following link: unsubscribe

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

David Rain
Email:join@sciepub.com
Science and Education Publishing (http://www.sciepub.com)

Vancomycin Induced DRESS Syndrome Leads to Diffuse Maculopapular Rash and Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Hemodialysis, a Rare Life-threatening Condition

Hassan Mehmood*, Khushbakht Ramsha Kamal, Umer Farooq, Muhammad Israr Ul Haq, Asghar Marwat, Muzammil Khan

Temple University/Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, PA, USA

Abstract: Drug hypersensitivity syndrome or drug reaction eosinophilia and systemic symptoms are a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. The incidence ranges from 1/1,000 to 1/10,000 drug exposures with 10 % overall mortality. Allopurinol, sulfonamides and antiepileptics are notorious for causing the DRESS syndrome; vancomycin is less common. Symptoms are mostly rash, atypical lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, and often lymphadenopathy. There may be hepatic, renal, and/or pulmonary involvement. In this article, we present a rare case of 66 years old male who recently had MRSA bacteremia four weeks ago, was on Intravenous vancomycin presented to us secondary to disseminated rash involving more than 70 percent of his body surface area along with high-grade fever, lymphadenopathy and hypotension. Blood work showed eosinophilia, elevated lactic acid and high creatinine. The patient was started on intravenous linezolid and piperacillin/tazobactam but his rash and kidney function were getting worse to an extent of hemodialysis. Suspicion was raised drug induced rash along with systemic involvement due to recent use of vancomycin. All antibiotics were stopped and the patient was started on intravenous fluid and intravenous steroid with significant improvement in two weeks. The main treatment of the DRESS syndrome is supportive therapy along with intravenous steroids.

Keywords: DRESS syndrome, vancomycin, rash, eosinophilia, steroids

Citation: Hassan Mehmood, Khushbakht Ramsha Kamal, Umer Farooq, Muhammad Israr Ul Haq, Asghar Marwat, Muzammil Khan, Vancomycin Induced DRESS Syndrome Leads to Diffuse Maculopapular Rash and Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Hemodialysis, a Rare Life-threatening Condition. American Journal of Medical Case Reports, 5 (11). 276-278. January 2017. doi:10.12691/ajmcr-5-11-3

1. Introduction

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome characterized by fever, rash, eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytes, and multiorgan involvement has a significant mortality. Allopurinol, antiepileptics and sulphonamides are notorious for causing the DRESS syndrome. [1] Vancomycin is less common, but due to excessive use of vancomycin in an inpatient facility, vancomycin appears to be emerging as an important etiology of the DRESS syndrome. [1] Adverse severe cutaneous reactions (SCARs) are rare, and DRESS is a distinct SCAR which includes life threatening hypersensitivity reaction along with fever and multiorgan involvement [2] DRESS should be suspected if symptoms occur within 2 to 6 weeks of starting the offending drug. [3] Three scoring system used by clinicians in the diagnosis of DRESS and among them The European Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (RegiSCAR) scoring system has been most commonly used [4,5].

2. Case Report

Herein, we present a case of 66 years old male with past medical history of recent MRSA bacteremia secondary to ureterolithiasis and hydronephrosis, underwent left ureteral stent four weeks ago was on intravenous vancomycin at home presented to us secondary to disseminated rash involving more than 70 % of the BSA started 3 days ago along with fever 102.2 F, chills, malaise, lymphadenopathy and hypotension. Patient blood pressure was 90/50, heart rate 72 and respiratory rate 14. The patient completed a two week course of intravenous vancomycin 5 days before coming to the hospital. Blood work showed an elevated WBC 18.5 x 103/UL along with 44% bands, eosinophils 14 %, elevated lactic acid of 3.4 mmol/L and high creatinine of 6.9 mg/DL with a baseline of 1.1 mg/DL. Patient liver enzymes and hepatitis panel were normal. The patient was started on linezolid 600 mg intravenously every 12 hours along with piperacillin/tazobactam 3.375 g every 8 hours secondary to sepsis. Blood culture, urine culture and sputum culture were collected. Patient rash and kidney function were getting worse. ANA, C3 and C4 complement level was negative. All cultures were negative. TEE didn't show any vegetation. All antibiotics were stopped and suspicion raised for drug induced rash and systemic symptoms secondary to recent use of vancomycin. The patient was started on intravenous fluid and intravenous steroids. Patient kidney function was getting worse and eventually he got one hemodialysis. Neurologist recommended getting a kidney biopsy secondary to his worsening kidney function and biopsy result was reported as acute interstitial nephritis. Supportive treatment was continued along with intravenous steroids and the patient started showing improvement after two weeks. Creatinine also started trending down, and the patient didn't require dialysis again. Biopsy result and timing of rash i.e. four weeks after starting vancomycin and systemic symptoms were suggestive of vancomycin-induced DRESS. The patient was discharged on a tapering dose of steroids. Treatment for DRESS is mainly steroids along with symptomatic management, and rarely patient need dialysis.

3. Discussion

The DRESS syndrome has a high mortality rate up to 10% [6] with most patients die from acute kidney failure, acute liver failure and multi-organ failure and hemophagoctosis [7]. Diagnosis is made by exclusion [8]. There are many scoring systems that were by physicians. RegiSCAR scoring system has been mostly used to grade DRESS cases as possible, probable and definite DRESS. Bocquet et al. Proposed three criteria in order to diagnose DRESS: 1) systemic involvement leading to hepatitis, interstitial nephritis, interstitial pneumonitis, carditis and adenopathy, 2) eosinophilia or atypical lymphocytosis and 3) skin rash [9] Most common indication for probable/definitive DRESS is delayed onset of symptoms 2-6 weeks [6] Mostly DRESS syndrome present with 8 weeks of drug exposure but there was one case reported 4 months after started carbamezipine [10]. The recovery period varies from patient to patient and the average time is between 6 to 9 weeks, which may include several flare-ups [6]. These flares up have been reported secondary to an ongoing disease course versus introduction of new drugs [11]. The most common cause of mortality is liver failure and continuous monitoring is warranted [9]. Although DRESS has been commonly reported due to anticonvulsant and allopurinol but due to increasing use of intravenous vancomycin and high trough secondary to high incidence of MRSA, vancomycin induced DRESS cases has been increasing recently [1]. Other common drugs causing DRESS include esomeprazole, atorvastatin, doxycycline and nitrofurantoin [12,13,14,15,16,17]. Treatment is mostly symptomatic, including intravenous steroids, antipyretics and topical moisturizer [18]. Relapse may occur once the steroids are tapered or discontinued and also due to repeated exposure [18].

4. Conclusion

As vancomycin is increasingly being used as an empiric drug for MRSA, we recommend raising awareness among healthcare professionals about this life-threatening condition. Rash two to six weeks after starting the drug along with fever, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, elevated liver enzymes and abnormal kidney functions should raise suspicion of the DRESS syndrome. Early recognition and discontinuing the offending drug can help in reducing the mortality and morbidity.

References

[1]   | Young S, Ojaimi S, Dunckley H, Douglas MW, Kok J, Fulcher DA, Lin MW, Swaminathan S. Vancomycin-associated drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome. Internal medicine journal. 2014 Jul 1; 44(7): 694-6.
[2]   | Roujeau JC, Stern RS. Severe adverse cutaneous reactions to drugs. New England Journal of Medicine. 1994 Nov 10; 331(19): 1272-85.

[3]  
Kardaun SH, Sekula P, Valeyrie-Allanore L, Liss Y, Chu CY, Creamer D, Sidoroff A, Naldi L, Mockenhaupt M, Roujeau JC. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS): an original multisystem adverse drug reaction. Results from the prospective RegiSCAR study. British Journal of Dermatology. 2013 Nov 1; 169(5): 1071-80.

[4]   | Guleria VS, Dhillon M, Gill S, Naithani N. Ceftriaxone induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Journal of research in pharmacy practice. 2014 Apr; 3(2): 72.
[5]   | Kardaun SH, Sidoroff A, Valeyrie-Allanore L, Halevy S, Davidovici BB, Mockenhaupt M, Roujeau JC. Variability in the clinical pattern of cutaneous side-effects of drugs with systemic symptoms: does a DRESS syndrome really exist?. British Journal of Dermatology. 2007 Mar 1; 156(3): 609-11.
[6]   | Cacoub P, Musette P, Descamps V, Meyer O, Speirs C, Finzi L, Roujeau JC. The DRESS syndrome: a literature review. The American journal of medicine. 2011 Jul 31; 124(7): 588-97.

[7]  
Eshki M, Allanore L, Musette P, Milpied B, Grange A, Guillaume JC, Chosidow O, Guillot I, Paradis V, Joly P, Crickx B. Twelve-year analysis of severe cases of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: a cause of unpredictable multiorgan failure. Archives of Dermatology. 2009 Jan 1; 145(1): 67-72.

[8]   | Sriratanaviriyakul N, Nguyen LP, Henderson MC, Albertson TE. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome (DRESS) syndrome associated with azithromycin presenting like septic shock: a case report. Journal of medical case reports. 2014 Oct 8; 8(1): 332.
[9]   | Bocquet H, Bagot M, Roujeau JC. Drug-induced pseudolymphoma and drug hypersensitivity syndrome (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms: DRESS). InSeminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery 1996 Dec 31 (Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 250-257). WB Saunders.
[10]   | Seth D, Kamat D, Montejo J. DRESS syndrome: a practical approach for primary care practitioners. Clinical pediatrics. 2008 Nov; 47(9): 947-52.
[11]   | Tetart F, Picard D, Janela B, Joly P, Musette P. Prolonged evolution of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: clinical, virologic, and biological features. JAMA dermatology. 2014 Feb 1; 150(2): 206-7.
[12]   | Vauthey L, Uçkay I, Abrassart S, Bernard L, Assal M, Ferry T, Djordjevic M, Roussos C, Vaudaux P. Vancomycin-induced DRESS syndrome in a female patient. Pharmacology. 2008; 82(2): 138-41.
[13]   | Mailhol C, Tremeau-Martinage C, Paul C, Godel A, Lamant L, Giordano-Labadie F. DRESS syndrome sous doxycycline. InAnnales de Dermatologie et de Venereologie 2010 Jan 31 (Vol. 137, No. 1, pp. 40-43). Elsevier Masson.
[14]   | Savard, S., Desmeules, S., Riopel, J. et al. Linezolid-associated acute interstitial nephritis and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. Am J Kidney Dis. 2009; 54: e17-e20.
[15]   | Velema MS, Voerman HJ. DRESS syndrome caused by nitrofurantoin. Neth J Med. 2009 Apr 1; 67(4):147-9.
[16]   | Gressier L, Pruvost-Balland C, Dubertret L, Viguier M. Atorvastatin-induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). InAnnales de dermatologie et de venereologie 2009 Jan (Vol. 136, No. 1, pp. 50-53).
[17]   | Caboni S, Gunera-Saad N, Ktiouet-Abassi S, Berard F, Nicolas JF. Esomeprazole-induced DRESS syndrome. Studies of cross-reactivity among proton‐pump inhibitor drugs. Allergy. 2007 Nov 1; 62(11):1342-3.
[18]   | Tas S, Simonart T. Management of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome): an update. Dermatology. 2003; 206(4):353-6.