Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 27, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
11:39

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

Increase in the incidence of dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome--an appraisal

P N Rao1, T S Lakshmi

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Osmania Medical College/Hospital Hyderabad, India.

Leprosy Review
|May 18, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Reports of dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) are increasing with multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy. Improved leprosy control and awareness likely contribute to more DHS diagnoses.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Dapsone is a key treatment for leprosy.
  • Multidrug therapy (MDT) has improved leprosy control globally.
  • An increase in dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) reports has been observed.

Observation:

  • Five cases of DHS were reported between 1997-1999.
  • Four cases occurred in leprosy patients on MDT.
  • One case involved a patient treated with dapsone for nodulocystic acne.

Findings:

  • Two patients experienced severe maculopapular rash progressing to erythroderma.
  • The exact cause of increased DHS reports remains unclear.
  • Increased reporting may be linked to MDT's success and improved awareness.

Implications:

  • Enhanced vigilance for DHS in patients on dapsone is crucial.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of DHS.
  • Improved diagnostics and monitoring can aid in managing dapsone-related adverse events.

More Related Videos

Encapsulation of Cancer Therapeutic Agent Dacarbazine Using Nanostructured Lipid Carrier07:53

Encapsulation of Cancer Therapeutic Agent Dacarbazine Using Nanostructured Lipid Carrier

Published on: April 26, 2016

Dermoscopy Aids in the Diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus05:39

Dermoscopy Aids in the Diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Published on: May 16, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacovigilance01:19

Pharmacovigilance

Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors01:29

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions01:29

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH), or Type IV hypersensitivity, is a cell-mediated immune response. It occurs when T cells, rather than antibodies, mediate a reaction to specific antigens. It is characterized by a delayed onset (1-2 days) and involves the recruitment of macrophages to the inflammation site.The initiation of a DTH response begins with the sensitization of T cells. During this phase, which lasts at least 1-2 weeks, antigen-specific T cells are activated, clonally expanded, and...
Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions01:16

Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions

Idiosyncratic drug reactions represent abnormal chemical responses that vary significantly among individuals, ranging from extreme sensitivity to low doses to insensitivity to high doses. These reactions often occur due to the drug's covalent binding with serum proteins, forming a foreign hapten that triggers an immunotoxicological response. The variability in drug reactions has a strong pharmacogenetic foundation, with genetic differences crucial in how individuals metabolize drugs. For...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions01:19

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...