title: Cephalosporin-Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin.
abstract: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a life-threatening cutaneous reaction to various medications, including antipsychotics and antibiotics. While cephalosporin-induced TEN is very rare, we present a case of cefepime-induced TEN. There are several commonly used therapies for TEN, including immunosuppressive agents and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), but their true efficacy has not been proven. In this case, the patient was treated with IVIG. The role of IVIG as therapy for TEN is currently being investigated. Prior observational studies suggest IVIG infers clinic benefit; however, recent meta-analyses have not shown any benefit. Our patient initially showed clinical improvement with IVIG therapy but, unfortunately, later succumbed to sepsis. We will provide a brief review of the current research of the pathological mechanism of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/TEN and the mechanism of action of IVIG specifically in TEN/SJS.
authors.affiliation: Radiology, Stony Brook University ; Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boroda
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Riina
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease, Nassau University Medical Center.
authors.forename: Shadab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
keywords: ivig; sjs; stevens johnson syndrome; ten; toxic epidermal necrolysis