title: Piperacillin-induced DRESS: distinguishing features observed in a clinical and allergy study of 8 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) syndrome is characterized by fever, rash, eosinophilia, and multiorgan failure. Previous reports have described differences in clinical and laboratory findings of DRESS syndrome depending on the inducing drug. Piperacillin has been reported as the drug responsible for this syndrome in 3 patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze and describe the clinical, laboratory, and allergy study findings of piperacillin-induced DRESS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with DRESS associated with piperacillin-tazobactam (Pip/Taz) according to the Kardaun diagnostic score criteria. Assessment of causality was established using the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System and the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). The allergy study included skin and epicutaneous tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients were diagnosed with DRESS due to Pip/Taz (3 probable and 5 definite cases). Skin rash was observed in all cases and facial edema in 50%; the mean latency period was 18 days. Fever was present in 7 patients. Liver and kidney injuries were detected in 6 and 3 patients, respectively. All patients had eosinophilia and a full recovery. The LTT to Pip/Taz was strongly positive in all patients, with a stimulation index of over 6. Three of 3 patients had a positive intradermal test to Pip/Taz, and 1 of 4 had a positive patch test. All patients had a negative LTT to carbapenems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have reported on the first case series of piperacillin-induced DRESS. A latency period of 18 days, skin rash, eosinophilia, fever, liver injury, and good prognosis were the most common features. The allergy study, and the LTT in particular, was highly useful for identifying Pip/Taz as the culprit drug and piperacillin as the responsible active ingredient.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Cabañas
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Calderon
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Ramirez
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Fiandor
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Prior
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Caballero
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Herránz
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Bobolea
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: López-Serrano
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Quirce
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Bellón
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010397:Penicillanic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D010397:Penicillanic Acid; D010878:Piperacillin