Mercury-induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis misdiagnosed as a drug-related case

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis secondary to dose-related turmeric supplementation

We present the case of a 55-year-old woman with a 10-day history of a rapidly progressing generalized rash. History was significant for recent increase in turmeric supplement dose. Clinical presentation was notable for diffuse plate-like yellow scaling of the scalp with lesser involvement of the ears. On the trunk and extremities, erythematous circinate plaques studded with pustules were noted with central trailing scale and desquamation. Laboratory results showed slight elevation of white blood cell count from her baseline but within normal range. Histopathological analysis of two punch biopsies showed spongiotic dermatitis with eosinophils, and subcorneal pustules with eosinophils, respectively, without any organisms. These findings were most consistent with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). Treatment included oral and topical corticosteroids as well as discontinuation of all dietary supplements. AGEP, a severe cutaneous adverse reaction, is associated most often with antibiotics; however, many other medications, including herbal supplements, have been documented as triggers in the literature. This is only the second reported case of potential turmeric-induced AGEP and the first reported case establishing a dose-related association between turmeric and AGEP. It is important to consider herbal supplements as part of the medical history to guide proper management when assessing a patient with AGEP.

Multisystem organ failure secondary to acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) with atypical presentation resembling septic shock

A woman was admitted for sepsis secondary to cellulitis. After clinical improvement of sepsis, non-follicular small pustules were observed on the trunk, limbs and face while vesicles/bullae and skin exfoliation were noted on upper extremities. Larger systemic manifestations included fever, hypertension and tachycardia. Laboratory results revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis, eosinophilia, mild transaminitis and acute renal failure. Despite treatment for potential sepsis and discontinuation of offending agents, her condition worsened leading to haemodynamic instability and renal failure requiring vasopressor support, intubation and continuous veno-venous haemodialysis. Skin biopsy revealed a diagnosis of acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), a rare condition usually caused by antibiotic treatment. The suspected offending drug was clindamycin, with possible combined effects by metronidazole and/or vancomycin. Improvement of skin manifestations were seen within 48 hours of starting systemic steroids. Here, we present an uncharacteristic case of AGEP clinically presenting with atypical skin lesions, severe systemic involvement mimicking septic shock, which culminated in multisystem organ failure.

Drug Triggers and Clinic of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP): A Literature Case Series of 297 Patients

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare skin reaction, commonly caused by drugs. Available evidence mostly relies on small studies or case reports. We collected published AGEP case reports and, subsequently, described the patient characteristics, suspect and concomitant drugs, time to onset, disease management, and clinical prognosis. This study included 297 AGEP patients (64.3% women) obtained from 250 published case reports or case series with individual patient data. AGEP affected patients of all ages, but the majority of patients (88.2%) were ≥25 years old. The most frequently reported suspect drugs were anti-infectives for systemic use (36.5%), particularly antibacterials for systemic use (31.0%), and especially beta-lactam antibacterials (18.3%) and macrolides (4.3%). Other frequent suspect drugs were antineoplastics (12.2%), and anti-inflammatory/anti-rheumatic products (5.2%) plus hydroxychloroquine (12.8%). Mean time to onset was 9.1 days (standard deviation SD 13.94). Some patients developed fever (64.3%) and systemic involvement (18.9%), and most patients (76.4%) received pharmacological treatment for AGEP. Seven patients died, although five of them were already critically ill prior to AGEP. In conclusion, antibiotics remain the most common suspected cause of AGEP. While case mortality rate may be up to 2.5%, disentangling the role of AGEP on the fatal outcome from the role of the preexisting health conditions remains challenging.

A Network Analysis of Drug Combinations Associated with Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP)

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare skin adverse drug reaction. The pathophysiology and causative drugs associated with AGEP are poorly understood, with the majority of studies in AGEP focusing on a single-drug-outcome association. We therefore aimed to explore and characterize frequently reported drug combinations associated with AGEP using the WHO pharmacovigilance database VigiBase. In this explorative cross-sectional study of a pharmacovigilance database using a data-driven approach, we assessed individual case safety reports (ICSR) with two or more drugs reported to VigiBase. A total of 2649 ICSRs reported two or more drugs. Cardiovascular drugs, including antithrombotics and beta-blockers, were frequently reported in combination with other drugs, particularly antibiotics. The drug pair of amoxicillin and furosemide was reported in 57 ICSRs (2.2%), with an O/E ratio of 1.3, and the combination of bisoprolol and furosemide was recorded 44 times (1.7%), with an O/E ratio of 5.5. The network analysis identified 10 different communities of varying sizes. The largest cluster primarily consisted of cardiovascular drugs. This data-driven and exploratory study provides the largest real-world assessment of drugs associated with AGEP to date. The results identify a high frequency of cardiovascular drugs, particularly used in combination with antibiotics.

Acute localized exanthematous pustulosis: Clinical features, pathophysiology, and therapy

Acute localized exanthematous pustulosis (ALEP) is a rare disease characterized by the acute onset of multiple localized non-follicular, pinhead-sized pustules. ALEP is considered a localized form of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis but its pathogeny is not well identified. We performed a systematic review of the literature of all publications regarding ALEP cases using the term "acute localized exanthematous pustulosis," to provide an update on this disease and its management. Results and conclusion ALEP is an uncommon skin condition attributed primarily to a hypersensitivity reaction to a systemic drug (classical or herbal); though a contact mechanism has been reported. It may be misdiagnosed as infectious or inflammatory disease but the clinico-pathological correlation in addition to the rapid response to withdrawal of the culprit agent supports this diagnosis. The pathogenesis of ALEP is still unclear, and there are no standardized treatment guidelines to manage this disease. Both AGEP and ALEP have a good prognosis if an early diagnosis is made.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis with airway mucosa involvement: A case report

BACKGROUND

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a severe cutaneous adverse reaction characterized by sterile pustules on erythematous skin associated with fever and leukocytosis. The annual incidence of AGEP is estimated to be 1-5 cases per million. Cases of AGEP with oral mucosa involvement have been reported. However, reports of AGEP involving airway mucosa are limited.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a 42-year-old woman with serious AGEP involving the airway mucosa. The patient initially developed fever and a small rash on her forehead and face. Over the next 2 d, she developed a diffuse, pustular rash over her trunk and legs. In addition, she complained of a cough with white foam-like sputum, chest tightness and dyspnea. Four days later, due to dyspnea, her mental status started to gradually deteriorate. She became more and more drowsy. Biopsies of the skin and airway mucosa suggested the diagnosis of AGEP. According to the European study of severe cutaneous adverse reactions group’s scoring system, the patient scored +6 indicating a probable diagnosis of AGEP. She received intravenous methylprednisolone 120 mg/12 h for 3 d, and was eventually discharged in good condition. This patient had already experienced respiratory failure and airway mucosa involvement on admission; however, the clinicians had an insufficient understanding of AGEP. Glucocorticoid was administered for more than 10 d following onset of the disease, and her overall prognosis was satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

This case represents a rare clinical feature of AGEP and an important finding for clinicians.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis and psoriasis: what can be learned from comorbidities

BACKGROUND

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare pustular severe cutaneous adverse reaction. Differentiating between AGEP and pustular psoriasis may represent a diagnostic challenge. We sought to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities in a series of patients with AGEP compared to a series of patients with psoriasis vulgaris and to a series of patients with drug-related psoriasis.

METHODS

Medical records of 14 patients with AGEP, 33 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and 18 patients with drug-related psoriasis were reviewed. The presence of comorbidities was recorded, and a comparative analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A personal history of psoriasis was present in 4 (28%) patients with AGEP compared to 12 (66%) patients with drug-related psoriasis (Pv=0.03). The prevalence of psoriasis-related morbidities was significantly lower in the AGEP group compared to the psoriasis group and to the drug-related psoriasis group (Pv<0.01, 0.05, respectively). Each of the psoriasis-related morbidities had significantly lower prevalence in the AGEP group compared to the psoriasis group and to the drug-related psoriasis group (Pv<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, differences between AGEP, psoriasis vulgaris, and drug-related psoriasis regarding the prevalence of psoriasis-related morbidities may assist differentiation in borderline cases.

Acute Generalised Exanthematous Pustulosis: An Update

Acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a severe cutaneous adverse reaction and is attributed to drugs in more than 90% of cases. It is a rare disease, with an estimated incidence of 1–5 patients per million per year. The clinical manifestations characterised by the rapid development of sterile pustular lesions, fever and leucocytosis. Number of drugs has been reported to be associated with AGEP, most common being the antibiotics. Histopathologically there is intraepidermal pustules and papillary dermal oedema with neutrophilic and eosinophilic infiltrations. Systemic involvement can be present in more severe cases. Early diagnosis with withdrawal of the causative drug is the most important step in the management. Treatment includes supportive care, prevention of antibiotics and use of a potent topical steroid.

Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis: Pathogenesis, Genetic Background, Clinical Variants and Therapy

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a severe, usually drug-related reaction, characterized by an acute onset of mainly small non-follicular pustules on an erythematous base and spontaneous resolution usually within two weeks. Systemic involvement occurs in about 20% of cases. The course is mostly benign, and only in rare cases complications lead to life-threatening situations. Recent studies highlight the importance of genetic variations in interleukin-36 receptor antagonist gene (IL-36RN) in the pathogenesis of this disease. The physiopathology of AGEP remains unclear, but an involvement of innate and acquired immune cells together with resident cells (keratinocytes), which recruit and activate neutrophils via production of cytokines/chemokines such as IL-17, IL-36, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8 (CXCL8)/IL-8, has been postulated. Treatment is based on the removal of the causative drug, supportive care, infection prevention and use of potent topical or systemic steroids.

An Uncommon Side Effect of Bupropion: A Case of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare inflammatory dermatosis characterized by multiple nonfollicular pustules that occur on erythematous skin. Despite its similarity to pustular psoriasis and association with fever and leukocytosis, AGEP typically heals quickly. Etiologically, drugs and viruses have been suspected in most cases. Here, we present a case of AGEP, in a woman, that developed 1 day after starting bupropion for smoking cessation, as a rare side effect of the treatment.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP): A review and update

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is a severe cutaneous adverse reaction characterized by the rapid development of nonfollicular, sterile pustules on an erythematous base. It is attributed to drugs in the majority of cases. Antibiotics are the most common cause of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis; however, a wide variety of drugs has been associated with this condition. Typically, within 48 hours of ingesting the causative medication, there is acute onset of fever and pustulosis with leukocytosis. In severe cases there can be mucous membrane and systemic organ involvement. Histologic findings include intracorneal, subcorneal, and/or intraepidermal pustules with papillary dermal edema containing neutrophils and eosinophils. Treatment focuses on removal of the causative drug, supportive care, infection prevention, and the often beneficial use of a potent topical steroid.