title: Differentiation syndrome in acute myeloid leukemia after treatment with azacitidine.
abstract: We report a case report of hyperleukocytosis, fever, hypotension, pulmonary and pericardial effusions, and acute kidney injury during initial treatment with azacitidine in a patient with AML-MRC. Collectively, the symptomatology resembled differentiation syndrome. Azacitidine has been previously associated with fever, peripheral edema, and hyperleukocytosis, but its side effect profile has never been described as similar to differentiation syndrome. The patient's deteriorating course quickly turned around after treatment with dexamethasone. This potential reaction, and potential treatment, is important for clinicians to be aware of.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Keesler Medical Center, Biloxi, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Christin B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Laufer
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Oncology, Keesler Medical Center, Biloxi, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Owen
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D001374:Azacitidine
keywords: Azacitidine; Differentiation syndrome