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[Drug hypersensitivity syndrome associated with a primary HHV6 infection]
S Debarbieux1, M-C Deroo-Berger, S Grande
1Service de Dermatologie, Pavillon R, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon.
Introduction:
Drug hypersensitivity syndrome is a severe life-threatening drug reaction. An association between this syndrome and HHV6 reactivation has been hypothesized.
Case-Report:
A 45 year-old women was treated with sulfasalazine for polyarthralgia. One month after beginning the treatment, she developed a drug hypersensitivity syndrome with severe acute hepatic failure. HHV6 serology and serum PCR revealed a primary HHV6 infection.
Discussion:
We report the second case of drug hypersensitivity syndrome associated with a primary HHV6 infection. An immunological disorder may explain such an association by increasing viral replication. Detection and titration of anti-HHV6 antibodies in each case of drug hypersensitivity syndrome should help to confirm this association and possibly modify treatment strategy.
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