A near fatal case of the dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome in a patient with urticarial vasculitis.
Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulphone) is used for a variety of dermatological conditions including immunobullous diseases and urticarial vasculitis. Side-effects are common and include lethargy, headaches, methaemoglobinaemia and haemolysis. Severe adverse effects are rare but the dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome is well recognized. Symptoms include fever, haemolytic anaemia, lymphocytosis and hepatitis. We report a near fatal case of the dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome in a patient with urticarial vasculitis. This diagnosis should be remembered in any patient who becomes unwell whilst taking dapsone.
Leslie
K S
KS
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK. kieronleslie@yahoo.com
Gaffney
K
K
Ross
C N
CN
Ridley
S
S
Barker
T H
TH
Garioch
J J
JJ
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003622:Dapsone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003622:Dapsone