title: Systemic involvement of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: a retrospective study on 58 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a severe cutaneous adverse reaction characterized by rash with sterile pustules, high fever and elevated circulating neutrophil counts.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the frequency and clinical features of AGEP systemic involvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included all patients hospitalized in our department between 2000 and 2010 with a discharge diagnosis of AGEP. Patients had to fulfil the following criteria: (i) a specific EuroSCAR score > 4 and (ii) biological and radiological work-up available.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 58 patients enrolled, 10 had at least one systemic involvement: hepatic function test results were abnormal for seven; six had renal insufficiency; two developed acute respiratory distress, with one patient's bronchoalveolar lavage fluid containing many neutrophils but no microorganisms; one was agranulocytotic. Mean peripheral neutrophil counts and mean C-reactive protein levels were elevated significantly in patients with systemic involvement. Amoxicillin rechallenge and hospitalization duration were associated with systemic involvement. AGEP systemic involvement was observed in 17% of cases studied, including liver, kidney, bone-marrow and lung involvement. Outcomes were favourable after drug withdrawal, and symptomatic and topical steroid treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The neutrophil count-systemic involvement association may suggest a role for neutrophils in AGEP systemic involvement. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of systemic involvement in AGEP and should actively look for signs of extracutaneous reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Referral Center for Toxic and Autoimmune Blistering Diseases, Université-Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne (UPEC), Henri-Mondor Hospital, 51, avenue du Maréchal de Tassigny, Créteil CEDEX, 94010, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hotz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valeyrie-Allanore
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bouvresse
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ortonne
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Duong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ingen-Housz-Oro
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Roujeau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolkenstein
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chosidow
mesh_terms: D056150:Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult