Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome).
OBJECTIVE
To review the hypersensitivity reaction to drugs known as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome), based on a case report. We also intend to discuss the difficulty and importance of disease recognition, since none of the changes is pathognomonic of this disease and failure to identify it may have disastrous consequences for the patient.


METHODS
To describe this case report, in addition to the information collected for clinical assessment, a literature review was performed in the PubMed and Bireme databases in order to retrieve the latest information published in literature on DRESS syndrome.


RESULTS
The case of a 20-year old patient is reported. After anamnesis, physical examination and laboratory tests a diagnosis of DRESS syndrome was performed, characterized by rash, hematologic alterations, lymphadenopathy and lesions in target organ. This is a rare syndrome, whose frequency varies according to the drug used and the immune status of the patient, being more often associated with the use of anticonvulsants.


CONCLUSIONS
The approach and discussion of the topic are of paramount importance, in view of the potential lethality of this treatable syndrome. Recognizing the occurrence of DRESS syndrome and starting treatment as soon as possible is crucial to reduce the risk of mortality and improve prognosis.
Hospital Municipal Odilon Behrens, Belo Horizonte MG , Brazil, MD, Specialist degree in Internal Medicine from Sociedade Brasileira de Clínica Médica. Manager of Adult and Senior Care and Hospital Internship Preceptor at Hospital Municipal Odilon Behrens (HOB). Professor, Faculdade da Saúde e Ecologia Humana (Faseh), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Soraia Aparecida da
SA
Silva
Faculdade de Medicina de Barbacena, Faculdade de Medicina de Barbacena, Fundação José Bonifácio Lafayette de Andrada, Barbacena MG , Brazil, Medical Student - Faculdade de Medicina de Barbacena, Fundação José Bonifácio Lafayette de Andrada (Fame/Funjob), Hospital Internship - 12th semester, Barbacena, MG, Brazil.
Mariana Maciel Pereira de
MM
Figueiredo
Faculdade de Medicina de Barbacena, Fame/Funjob, Barbacena MG , Brazil, Dental Surgeon - Medical Student, Fame/Funjob, Hospital Internship - 12th semester, Barbacena, MG, Brazil.
Lauro
L
Carneiro
Faculdade da Saúde e Ecologia Humana, Faculdade da Saúde e Ecologia Humana, Vespasiano MG , Brazil, Medical Student - Faseh, Hospital Internship, 11th semester, Vespasiano, MG, Brazil.
Débora Borowiak
DB
Reiss
Faculdade da Saúde e Ecologia Humana, Faculdade da Saúde e Ecologia Humana, Vespasiano MG , Brazil, Medical Student - Faseh, Hospital Internship, 11th semester, Vespasiano, MG, Brazil.
Mariana Amaranto de Souza
MA
Damásio
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D063926:Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D000927:Anticonvulsants