title: Reactivation of cytomegalovirus in a patient with stevens-johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis.
abstract: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe adverse cutaneous reactions to drugs. We describe the case of a 19 year old patient with SJS/TEN overlap syndrome, who developed severe interstitial pneumonia after she had received antiepileptic drugs. A cytomegalovirus infection was diagnosed by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) detection on Bronchoalveolar lavage. Based on observations on biological data, temporal relationship, and clinical features, it could be inferred that the reactivation of cytomegalovirus with viral replication can predispose a person to TEN-SJS. We discuss here, in the light of the current literature, the probable association between drug-induced SJS-TEN and fulminant reactivation of cytomegalovirus.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Mohamed V Souissi University, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, BP, Morocco;
authors.forename: Mohamed Rida
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Tagajdid
authors.forename: Taoufik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doblali
authors.forename: Hicham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elannaz
authors.forename: Salaheddine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hammi
authors.forename: Bouchra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Belfequih
authors.forename: Saâd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mrani
keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Pneumonia; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; Toxic epidermal necrolysis
references.citation: Singapore Med J. 2008 Jun;49(6):507-10
references.pmid: 18581028
references.citation: Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. 2011;3(1):e2011004
references.pmid: 21625308
references.citation: J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol. 2011;18:e121-33
references.pmid: 21467603
references.citation: CMAJ. 2010 Mar 23;182(5):476-80
references.pmid: 19933789
references.citation: Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2007 Apr;134(4 Pt 1):391-401
references.pmid: 17483766
references.citation: Acta Derm Venereol. 2010 Nov;90(6):625-9
references.pmid: 21057748
references.citation: Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2010 Dec 16;5:39
references.pmid: 21162721
references.citation: Neurology. 2005 Apr 12;64(7):1134-8
references.pmid: 15824335