Toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with acute infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae

• Published in: Archivos argentinos de pediatría Vol. 111; no. 1; pp. e24 - e27
• Main Authors: Calvano, Roberta Amelia, Scacchi, María Florencia, Sojo, Magdalena María, Díaz, Silvia Marta, Volonteri, Victoria Inés, Giachetti, Ana Claudia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Argentina 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - complications; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - diagnosis; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - therapy; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - complications; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - diagnosis; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - therapy
• ISSN: 1668-3501
• DOI: 10.5546/aap.2013.e24

Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis represent different manifestations of the same spectrum of severe idiosyncratic cutaneous reactions to drugs and to a lesser extent are associated with infectous agents. Among these, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the most frequent. We report the case of a female patient aged 5 years, with a toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, which begins with a fever accompanied by a generalized rash with involvement of the mucous membranes. IgM serology for Mycoplasma pneumoniae was positive and initial biopsy was compatible with erythema multiforme major. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis and strict care to prevent superinfection and sequels. After 31 days of hospitalization the patient was discharged from hospital.