title: Cefuroxime induced lymphomatoid hypersensitivity reaction.
abstract: An 84 year old woman developed erythematous blotchy erythema and purpuric rashes over the lower limbs three days after being started on intravenous cefuroxime for acute diverticulitis. A skin biopsy specimen showed a mixed infiltrate of lymphoid cells and eosinophils; many of the lymphocytes were large, pleomorphic, and showed a raised mitotic rate. Immunohistochemistry showed the infiltrate to be T cell rich, with all the large cells being CD30 positive. Typical mycosis fungoides cells, marked epidermotropism, and Pautrier's abscesses were not seen. The rash disappeared 10 days after cessation of cefuroxime and the patient remained asymptomatic 15 months later. This apparent cutaneous T cell lymphoma-like reaction is best described as lymphomatoid vascular reaction. The drug induced immune response with an atypical cutaneous lymphoid infiltrate mimics a cutaneous pseudolymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Elderly Care, Manor Hospital Walsall, UK.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bazza
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaman
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ryatt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019310:Pseudolymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D002444:Cefuroxime