Hypersensitivity to azathioprine mimicking gastroenteritis. Absence of recurrence with 6-mercaptopurine.
Hypersensitivity mimicking gastroenteritis is a rare complication of azathioprine therapy for which the mechanism is unknown. We report a case of devastating diarrhoea and vomiting due to azathioprine treatment in which hypersensitivity to the imidazole moiety of azathioprine was demonstrated. This has important therapeutic implications: in this situation, 6-mercaptopurine, which is the portion of azathioprine responsible for the cytotoxic therapeutic effect, can be administered without recurrence of side-effects.
Godeau
B
B
Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Creteil.
Paul
M
M
Autegarden
J E
JE
Leynadier
F
F
Astier
A
A
Schaeffer
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013577:Syndrome; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
D015122:Mercaptopurine; D001379:Azathioprine