title: Evidence for a T-lymphocyte dependent mechanism involving proinflammatory cytokines in anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome: a case report.
abstract: The anticonvulsant drug hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a potentially fatal drug reaction associated with aromatic antiepileptic drugs, the pathogenic mechanisms of which are still unclear. We studied a 2-year-old female affected with AHS after phenobarbital treatment. In vitro experiments showed a T-lymphocyte response to the drug and an increased, dose-related, IL-6 production after drug incubation. These findings suggest that AHS may be caused by a T-lymphocyte dependent mechanism, involving pro-inflammatory cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Div. Pediatrics, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: E.
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiappini
authors.forename: M.
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peruzzi
authors.forename: L.
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: G.
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calabri
authors.forename: M.
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Martino