title: Chronic urticaria and monoclonal IgM gammopathy (Schnitzler syndrome): report of 11 cases treated with pefloxacin.
abstract: 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.
authors: Service d'Immunohématologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France.
authors: Bouchra
authors: B
authors: Asli
authors: Boris
authors: B
authors: Bienvenu
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Cordoliani
authors: Jean-Claude
authors: JC
authors: Brouet
authors: Yurdagul
authors: Y
authors: Uzunhan
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Arnulf
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Malphettes
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Rybojad
authors: Jean-Paul
authors: JP
authors: Fermand
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015366:Pefloxacin