Concise reports: A case of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome showing transient immunosuppression before viral reactivation during treatment for pemphigus foliaceus

• Published in: Clinical and experimental dermatology Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 33 - 35
• Main Authors: Takahashi, H, Tanaka, M, Tanikawa, A, Toyohara, A, Ogo, Y, Morimoto, A, Harato, R, Kobayashi, M, Amagai, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Cytomegalovirus; Epstein-Barr virus; Human herpesvirus 6
• ISSN: 0307-6938; 1365-2230
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2005.01913.x

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is one of the most severe drug adverse reactions, with characteristic biphasic symptoms. Reactivation of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is frequently observed, although the cause of DIHS is still unknown. A patient developed DIHS during treatment with diaminodiphenylsulphone for pemphigus foliaceus. The number of lymphocytes in his peripheral blood, and titres of serum total IgG and IgM and anti-desmoglein1 antibody transiently decreased just before reactivation of HHV-6, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. This observation suggests that transient suppression of both cellular and humoral immunity may trigger viral reactivation, which leads to the development of the second phase of DIHS.