The effects of systemic cyclosporine in acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis on ocular disease

Updates in SJS/TEN: collaboration, innovation, and community

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is a predominantly drug-induced disease, with a mortality rate of 15-20%, that engages the expertise of multiple disciplines: dermatology, allergy, immunology, clinical pharmacology, burn surgery, ophthalmology, urogynecology, and psychiatry. SJS/TEN has an incidence of 1-5/million persons per year in the United States, with even higher rates globally. One of the challenges of SJS/TEN has been developing the research infrastructure and coordination to answer questions capable of transforming clinical care and leading to improved patient outcomes. SJS/TEN 2021, the third research meeting of its kind, was held as a virtual meeting on August 28-29, 2021. The meeting brought together 428 international scientists, in addition to a community of 140 SJS/TEN survivors and family members. The goal of the meeting was to brainstorm strategies to support the continued growth of an international SJS/TEN research network, bridging science and the community. The community workshop section of the meeting focused on eight primary themes: mental health, eye care, SJS/TEN in children, non-drug induced SJS/TEN, long-term health complications, new advances in mechanisms and basic science, managing long-term scarring, considerations for skin of color, and COVID-19 vaccines. The meeting featured several important updates and identified areas of unmet research and clinical need that will be highlighted in this white paper.

Ocular involvement in allergic drug reactions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Many systemic medications have been observed to cause ocular toxicity. A subset of these reactions is thought to involve immunomodulation or a hypersensitivity reaction. As new medications are developed, ocular adverse effects are becoming increasingly prevalent. Herein we review immune-mediated drug reactions affecting they eye with special attention to the hypersensitivity mechanisms leading to ocular toxicity.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent work has focused on mechanisms and risk of immune-mediated ocular adverse drug reactions including genetic susceptibility and loss of ocular immune privilege.

SUMMARY

Given the consequences of immune-mediated ocular adverse drug reactions, clinicians must be aware of these to facilitate early recognition and management. The prompt involvement of an ophthalmologist for diagnosis and management is often essential to preserve vision and avoid long-term morbidity.

Ocular surface involvement and histopathologic changes in the acute stage of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare and extremely serious drug-induced dermatological disorders. The ocular surface condition at the early stage has been little studied and should contribute to novel perspectives in early and effective topical therapy of these diseases. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the acute phase of ocular surface involvement and histopathologic changes in patients with acute SJS/TEN.

METHODS

Ten patients with acute phase of SJS/TEN onset and eleven age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited. Ocular surface symptoms and signs, conjunctival impression cytology, and tear multi-cytokine were assessed.

RESULTS

Ocular surface objective signs were normal at the acute stage of SJS/TEN, while most patients have abnormal ocular surface subjective symptoms and meibomian gland secretion. Conjunctival impression cytology showed a significant decrease in goblet cell density and severe ocular surface squamous metaplasia in acute SJS/TEN patients. Tear multi-cytokine analysis showed all 21 pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines all sharply elevated. Goblet cell density was significantly negatively correlated with tear C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) and interleukin 13.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe pathologic squamous metaplasia and inflammation onset in the ocular surface at the acute stage of the SJS/TEN, even if the ocular surface condition seemed basically normal with adequate systemic immunosuppressant and general supportive treatment. Early topical anti-inflammatory therapy should be carried out actively.

Ocular involvement in Mycoplasma induced rash and mucositis: A systematic review of the literature

Mycoplasma pneumoniae induced rash and mucositis (MIRM) is a relatively newly identified clinical entity which is characterized by mucocutaneous manifestations in the setting of Mycoplasma infection. Though a clinically distinct disease, MIRM exists on a diagnostic continuum with entities including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and the recently described reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME). In this systematic review, we discuss published findings on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of MIRM, with an emphasis on ocular disease. Lastly, we discuss some of the most recent developments and challenges in characterizing MIRM with respect to the related diagnosis of RIME.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 is associated with conjunctival microbiota culture positivity in Korean patients with chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Background

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an abnormal immune-response causing extensive exfoliation of the mucocutaneous tissue including conjunctiva. While several factors are associated with the alteration of conjunctival microbiota, the conjunctiva of SJS patients are found to harbor a different microbiota compared to healthy subjects. We investigated the conjunctival microbiota of Korean SJS patients, and identified factors associated with the conjunctival microbiota and its positive culture.

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed in 30 chronic SJS patients who had undergone conjunctival swab culture sampling. Demographic factors, chronic ocular surface complications score (COCS), tear break-up time (TBUT), tear secretion, tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), and results of conjunctival swab culture were assessed.

Results

Positive culture was seen in 58.1%. Gram positive bacteria was most commonly isolated, among which Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (45.5%) and Corynebacterium species (40.9%) were predominantly observed. Tear MMP9 positivity was observed significantly more in the positive culture group (100%) compared to the negative culture group (70%) (P = 0.041). Topical cyclosporine and corticosteroid were not associated with repetitive positive cultures. No significant differences in COCS, TBUT, and tear secretion were found between culture-positive and culture-negative groups.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that tear MMP9 positivity may be related with the presence of an abnormal ocular surface microbiota in chronic SJS patients.

Vulvovaginal and ocular involvement and treatment in female patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: A review

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are serious adverse cutaneous drug reactions, characterized by epidermal detachment and mucous membrane involvement. SJS/TEN is more common in female patients, with unique findings in the ocular and vulvar regions. Early recognition and intervention, as well as long-term follow-up, are crucial to prevent devastating scarring and sequelae. This review examines the vulvar and ocular manifestations of SJS/TEN and describes the current treatment recommendations for female patients, requiring close consultation and collaboration among dermatology, ophthalmology, and gynecology.

A Review of Clinical Disease Scoring Systems for Cicatricial Diseases of the Conjunctiva

Cicatricial conjunctival diseases (CCDs), are a diverse group of ocular surface diseases characterized by chronic scarring of the conjunctiva. These diseases can cause significant ocular morbidity. They are life-long once acquired and can be debilitating, painful diseases leading to visual loss. A recent international consensus of ocular surface disease experts have placed emphasis on the need of validated clinical disease scoring systems for CCDs, important for the objective evaluation of disease severity, outcomes of therapies, and longitudinal monitoring of disease. This review aims to describe the various published clinical disease scoring systems available for CCDs and evaluates the benefits and limitations of each system. It can be used as a guide for clinicians managing patients with CCDs and for researchers evaluating potential therapies in clinical trials.

Sutureless Amniotic Membrane (ProKera®) and Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Management of Ocular Complications of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome-Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Overlap

PURPOSE

To report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS-TEN) overlap, with severe acute ocular manifestations successfully managed with sutureless Amniotic Membrane device ProKera® (Bio-Tissue, Inc., Miami, FL) and topical steroids, followed by late complications that were successfully managed with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.

OBSERVATIONS

A 24-year-old lady, known case of epilepsy, admitted to the burn unit with SJS-TEN overlap attributed to a recent change of her anti-convulsant therapy, with severe ocular manifestations, inability to open both eyes, and poor visual acuity. Early management included intensive topical steroids and lubrication, in addition to the application of a ProKera® device. Despite achieving full epithelialization within two weeks with the improvement of ocular manifestations, the patient presented three weeks later with recurrence of conjunctival epithelial defects, partial ankyloblepharon, and severely dry corneas. These late sequelae were managed with bandage contact lens (BCL) application, intensive topical steroid, and lubrication in addition to IVIG therapy. After six cycles of IVIG therapy, ocular manifestations improved significantly and the patient achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 6/9 in both eyes. Conclusion and importance: Existing evidence suggests that the use of IVIG in combination with systemic steroids in the early phase of SJS-TEN can reduce mortality, without affecting the final visual outcome in patients with ocular manifestations. This case highlights the possible role of IVIG therapy alone - without systemic steroids - in managing and preventing long-term ocular complications of SJS-TEN.

Acute and Chronic Management of Ocular Disease in Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in the USA

Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are on a spectrum of a severe, immune-mediated, mucocutaneous disease. Ocular involvement occurs in the vast majority of cases and severe involvement can lead to corneal blindness. Treatment in the acute phase is imperative in mitigating the severity of chronic disease. Advances in acute treatment such as amniotic membrane transplantation have shown to significantly reduce the severity of chronic disease. However, AMT is not a panacea and severe chronic ocular disease can and does still occur even with aggressive acute treatment. Management of chronic disease is equally critical as timely intervention can prevent worsening of disease and preserve vision. This mini-review describes the acute and chronic findings in SJS/TEN and discusses medical and surgical management strategies.

USA: Ophthalmologic Evaluation and Management of Acute Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) can cause significant damage to the ocular surface and eyelids. The sloughing and inflammation of the ocular mucosal epithelium during the acute phase may lead to scarring sequelae of the eyelids and ocular surface, resulting in pain and vision loss. Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) to the eyes and eyelids during the initial 1–2 weeks of the disease can decrease the chronic sequelae. The main development in the ophthalmologic treatment of SJS/TEN in the USA over the last 15 years has been the use of AMT on the ocular surface and eyelids during the acute phase. The evolution of AMT techniques, refinement of the evaluation of the eyes in acute SJS, and the efforts to increase the use of AMT in the USA are discussed.

Clinical Aspects of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis With Severe Ocular Complications in Taiwan

Purpose: Over the last decade, there has been tremendous progress in the treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). To understand whether this has resulted in better ophthalmic outcomes, we aimed to study the incidence of severe ocular complications (SOCs) in the acute and chronic stage among SJS/TEN patients, major causative medications, and therapeutic effect of medical and surgical treatment.

Methods: Using electronic medical records review of patients of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Branch from 2010 to 2020, 119 patients (236 eyes) received ophthalmic consultation during the acute stage and were retrospectively studied. Sotozono's grading score systems for acute and chronic SJS/TEN were employed for accessing correlation between acute and chronic presentations, the therapeutic effect of systemic etanercept treatment, and outcome of early amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) performed in patients with severe acute SOCs.

Results: There were 46 male and 73 female patients with a mean age of 45.6 ± 22.7 years old (2–90 years), and follow-up time of 408.3 ± 351.0 (116–1,336) days. The numbers of patients with SJS, overlap syndrome, and TEN were 87, 9, and 23, respectively. In total, 109 eyes (55 patients) had acute SOCs, which comprised 46.2% of patients who underwent ophthalmic examination. Antiepileptics were the most common category of culprit drugs causing SOCs in the acute stage. At the end of follow-up, there were 14 eyes (9 patients) with chronic SOCs (5.9%), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cold medicine were the most common causative medications that were associated with severe chronic sequela. The correlation between Sotozono's acute and chronic grading score showed a positive relationship [Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r) = 0.52, p < 0.001]. The average chronic grading scores in patients receiving systemic corticosteroid combined with etanercept treatment were significantly lower than those receiving corticosteroid only, Finally, the average chronic grading scores in patients receiving AMT <7 days after onset were significantly lower than those performed beyond 7 days.

Conclusion: Our study implies that acute manifestation can be an indicator for chronic sequelae. Additional early etanercept treatment and early AMT showed beneficial effect in reducing chronic ocular sequela.

[Ocular involvement in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis]

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare severe and often life-threatening reactions of the skin and mucous membranes. They are considered as a single disease entity with different expressions of severity and are summarized under the term epidermal necrolysis (EN). There is a high risk of ocular involvement, which can lead to long-lasting eye problems and even blindness without immediate ophthalmological treatment. The acute occurrence, the unpredictable course and extreme variation in the manifestation of complications require an interdisciplinary approach. A rapid diagnosis of eye involvement and initiation of an intensive lubricating and anti-inflammatory surface treatment is of utmost importance for the long-term outcome. This article should help ophthalmologists to have a better understanding of this condition and therefore lead to substantial improvement in visual outcome and the quality of life of patients.