title: Bullous Sweet's syndrome and pseudolymphoma precipitated by IL-2 therapy.
abstract: IL-2 is a key cytokine in cell-mediated immunity and currently is used in clinical trials as immunologic therapy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. Although cutaneous reactions to IL-2 therapy are common, bullous reactions are rare. We report a case of an HIV-positive patient who received multiple cycles of IL-2 therapy and developed a bullous eruption soon after each cycle was initiated. Pathology results from 2 separate outbreaks revealed a diffuse dermal neutrophilic infiltrate with leukocytoclasis. Epidermal spongiosis and focal intraepidermal vesiculation also were present. The patient discontinued IL-2 therapy but restarted 5 years later, at which time he presented with a pseudolymphomatous reaction that resolved after discontinuation of therapy. This patient is an unusual case of 2 different eruptions--Sweet's syndrome and pseudolymphoma-precipitated by IL-2 therapy in the same patient. Cutaneous eruptions to IL-2 therapy also are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rondina
authors.forename: Alice C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019310:Pseudolymphoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D016463:Sweet Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2