title: Hypersensitivity reaction to azathioprine.
abstract: Adverse drug reactions can vary from a simple rash to anaphylactic shock. While certain medications including the penicillins are well known to cause such reactions, other drugs are not as commonly recognized. Azathioprine hypersensitivity reactions tend to be benign and self-limiting with cessation of drug ingestion. We report a patient who had a hypersensitivity reaction to azathioprine, which manifested as distributive shock that mimicked sepsis. We also reviewed the English language literature for risk factors for a hypersensitivity reaction to azathioprine and its possible mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ossorio
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Byrd
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone