Outbreak of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with mebendazole and metronidazole use among Filipino laborers in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to identify the risk factors associated with an outbreak of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) among Filipino laborers in Taiwan.


METHODS
Forty-six SJS/TEN patients were matched to 92 controls according to month of arrival in Taiwan, sex, and age.


RESULTS
The odds ratio for development of SJS/TEN was 9.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.9, 23.9) among workers who had used both metronidazole and mebendazole sometime in the preceding 6 weeks. In addition, a gradient increase in the occurrence of SJS/TEN was found with an increasing level of exposure to metronidazole.


CONCLUSIONS
This outbreak highlights the risk of SJS/TEN resulting from the use of both metronidazole and mebendazole and the need for control measures.
Chen
Kow-Tong
KT
Field Epidemiology Training Program, Center for Disease Control, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Twu
Shiing-Jer
SJ
Chang
Hong-Jen
HJ
Lin
Ruey-Shiung
RS
D000328:Adult; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000994:Antitrichomonal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008463:Mebendazole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010679:Philippines / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D000994:Antitrichomonal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D008463:Mebendazole