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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

Published on: June 15, 2019

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: infection or hypersensitivity reaction?

Alexandra Dreesman¹, Anne Hoorens, Said Hachimi-Idrissi

¹Critical Care Department and Cerebral Resuscitation Research Group of the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Alexandra.Dreesman@uzbrussel.be

European Journal of Emergency Medicine : Official Journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine

|October 13, 2009

Summary

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a severe drug reaction causing fever, rash, and organ issues. This case highlights AHS in a child treated with lamotrigine and sodium valproate for epilepsy.

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

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Published on: June 15, 2019

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Published on: August 30, 2018

Area of Science:

Clinical Medicine
Pharmacology
Immunology

Background:

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a severe, delayed drug reaction.
Characterized by fever, rash, and multiorgan involvement, typically within weeks of starting antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).
AHS can mimic other serious conditions, complicating diagnosis.

Observation:

A 6-year-old boy presented with symptoms consistent with AHS.
The patient had recently been treated with a combination of lamotrigine and sodium valproate for refractory epilepsy.
This combination therapy precipitated the hypersensitivity reaction.

Findings:

The clinical presentation strongly suggested AHS.
The reaction was linked to the introduction of lamotrigine in conjunction with sodium valproate.
The patient experienced the characteristic triad of fever, rash, and organ involvement.

Implications:

This case underscores the importance of recognizing AHS, even with common AED combinations.
Awareness of AHS is crucial for timely diagnosis and management to prevent severe outcomes.
Clinicians should consider AHS in patients presenting with fever and rash after AED initiation.