title: High procalcitonin in a patient with drug hypersensitivity syndrome.
abstract: We present a patient who developed carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome associated with high serum procalcitonin (PCT). The presentation (high fever, hepatosplenomegaly, leukocytosis), high PCT and CRP initially suggested sepsis, and he was treated with antibiotics, while CBZ was continued. The rash and hepatitis worsened. After withdrawal of CBZ, corticosteroid therapy was administered and the patient recovered with normalization of PCT. This case demonstrates that PCT may be increased in patients with DRESS. This is the first report of CBZ-induced DRESS associated with high PCT, and the second case of increased PCT in DRESS.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonaci-Nikolic
authors.forename: Ivica
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jeremic
authors.forename: Milos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nikolic
authors.forename: Sladjana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andrejevic
authors.forename: Lidija
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lavadinovic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002220:Carbamazepine; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide