[Terbinafine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and aggravation of systemic lupus erythematosus]

There have been published reports of induction and aggravation of subacute systemic lupus erythematosus of lupus by terbinafine. We report the case of female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who, after treatment with terbinafine, presented a Stevens Johnson syndrome eruption, together with renal exacerbation of her connective tissue disease.

A 25 - year-old woman was followed for 4 years for systemic lupus erythematosus was no renal involvement. The patient was stable under corticosteroids (20 mg/d) and chloroquine (200 mg/d). She was treated with terbinafine onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum. Seven days after trunk and limbs, with cheilitis affecting the mucous membrane and bilateral conjunctivitis. This rash was followed by epidermolysis involving 10% of the cutaneous area. Stevens-Johnson syndrome was diagnosed. Laboratory tests indicated massive hematuria and proteinuria, and the renal needle biopsy sample showed signs of class III lupus glomerulonephritis. The anti-histone antibodies were highly positive. The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroids (1 mg/kg/d), chloroquine was recommenced and cyclophosphamides were given in a bolus. The outcome of the patient's eruption and lupus was favorable.

Although induction and worsening of lupus by terbinafine have already been reported, the present case differs through the concomitant occurrence of eruption on treatment with terbinafine and severe relapse of lupus, thus suggesting the involvement of a shared immunological mechanism.