[Agranulocytosis induced by dapsone prescribed for dermatitis herpetiformis].
BACKGROUND
Dapsone is a drug widely prescribed in dermatology. It can lead to undesirable side effects including hematologic disorders.


METHODS
A patient with dermatitis herpetiformis was treated with dapsone. Agranulocytosis developed 6 weeks later and was revealed by fever and pneumonia which resolved under antibiotics. The agranulocytosis regressed without specific treatment after drug withdrawal. Blood counts returned to normal 2 weeks later.


CONCLUSIONS
Dapsone-induced agranulocytosis is in common (1/10,000 to 1/20,000). The drug is widely prescribed, particularly for leprosy. Nevertheless, when dapsone is prescribed for dermatitis herpetiformis, the risk of agranulocytosis increases 25-fold reaching 1/400. The indication for dapsone must always made carefully, with surveillance of the blood counts every 15 days during the first 3 months of treatment for dermatitis herpetiformis.
Machet
L
L
Service de Dermatologie, CHU Trousseau, Tours.
Callens
A
A
Mercier
E
E
Gargot
S
S
Lorette
G
G
Vaillant
L
L
D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003622:Dapsone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003622:Dapsone
Agranulocytose induite par la dapsone prescrite pour une dermatite herpétiforme.