Rising trends of symmetrical drug related intertriginous and flexural exanthem due to Itraconazole in patients with superficial dermatophytosis: A case series of 12 patients from eastern part of India

The unprecedented epidemic-like scenario of dermatophytosis in India: III. Antifungal resistance and treatment options

One of the canonical features of the current outbreak of dermatophytosis in India is its unresponsiveness to treatment in majority of cases. Though there appears to be discordance between in vivo and in vitro resistance, demonstration of in vitro resistance of dermatophytes to antifungals by antifungal susceptibility testing is essential as it may help in appropriate management. The practical problem in the interpretation of antifungal susceptibility testing is the absence of clinical breakpoints and epidemiologic cutoff values. In their absence, evaluation of the upper limit of a minimal inhibitory concentration of wild type isolates may be beneficial for managing dermatophytosis and monitoring the emergence of isolates with reduced susceptibility. In the current scenario, most of the cases are unresponsive to standard dosages and duration of treatment recommended until now. This has resulted in many ex-cathedra modalities of treatment that are being pursued without any evidence. There is an urgent need to carry out methodical research to develop an evidence base to formulate a rational management approach in the current scenario.

Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema: Clinicopathologic study of 19 cases and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is a cutaneous drug reaction characterized by gluteal/anogenital erythema and symmetric involvement of other intertriginous location(s) without systemic signs. Clinicopathologic characterization has been limited to case reports and small series. We describe 19 new cases and review the literature to better define the clinical and histopathologic spectrum of SDRIFE.

METHODS

Pathology archives were searched for "SDRIFE" and "baboon syndrome." Cases meeting clinical criteria were included. Clinical and histopathologic features were recorded. Previous reports of SDRIFE with histopathologic descriptions were reviewed.

RESULTS

Nineteen new cases were included, over half triggered by antibiotics. Six new causative medications were identified. Median onset was 7 days. Typical lesions were erythematous plaques or papules with or without scale. The most common histopathologic finding was superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate followed by dermal eosinophils, spongiosis, and orthokeratosis. Basal vacuolization and apoptotic keratinocytes were less common. Interstitial histiocytes were present in almost half of our cases. Other findings included atypical lymphocytes and "flame figure."

CONCLUSIONS

Appreciation of the range of inciting medications and clinicopathologic features in SDRIFE will improve recognition of this condition. Although many histopathologic features overlap with other common dermatitides, biopsy may assist in excluding key clinical mimics.