Stevens-Johnson-type reaction with vancomycin treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome caused by vancomycin.


METHODS
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an acute mucocutaneous process characterized by epidermal and mucosal desquamation. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Mortality rates have ranged from 30 to 100 percent. We describe a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome related to the use of vancomycin in a 71-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis receiving treatment for an infected cervical fusion site. Classic "target" lesions distributed throughout the trunk and extremities along with erosive lesions involving the oral and vaginal mucosae were observed in this patient.


CONCLUSIONS
A number of agents have been implicated in the etiology of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Serious cutaneous reactions to vancomycin, however, have been uncommon. Cessation of vancomycin treatment in our patient led to eventual resolution of her symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Vancomycin is a potential causative agent of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Laurencin
C T
CT
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Horan
R F
RF
Senatus
P B
PB
Wheeler
C B
CB
Lipson
S J
SJ
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014640:Vancomycin