Chronic urticaria and monoclonal IgM gammopathy (Schnitzler syndrome): report of 11 cases treated with pefloxacin.
BACKGROUND
Schnitzler syndrome is characterized by chronic urticarial rash and monoclonal IgM gammopathy and is sometimes associated with periodic fever, arthralgias, and bone pain. Current treatment is unsatisfactory.


METHODS
Eleven patients with Schnitzler syndrome were treated with oral pefloxacin mesylate (800 mg/d). In 10 patients, we observed a dramatic and sustained improvement of urticarial and systemic manifestations. Corticosteroid therapy could be stopped or reduced in 6 patients. In 9 patients, pefloxacin was administered for more than 6 months (<or= 10 years), with a good safety profile.


CONCLUSIONS
Pefloxacin therapy can be considered for patients with Schnitzler syndrome because it usually improves chronic urticaria and the systemic symptoms of the disease.
Asli
Bouchra
B
Service d'Immunohématologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France.
Bienvenu
Boris
B
Cordoliani
Florence
F
Brouet
Jean-Claude
JC
Uzunhan
Yurdagul
Y
Arnulf
Bertrand
B
Malphettes
Marion
M
Rybojad
Michel
M
Fermand
Jean-Paul
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015366:Pefloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019873:Schnitzler Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015366:Pefloxacin