Acute leukopenia as an allergic reaction to silver sulfadiazine in burn patients

Of 68 burn patients at the University of Wisoncsin Burn Center treated with silver sulfadiazine cream over 2 years, two (about 3%) developed fever and marked leukopenia. The symptoms disappeared 1-2 days after discontinuation of the cream. The two cases are described and possible mechanisms of allergic response to this agent are discussed.