Skip to main content
PMC home page
California Medicine logoLink to California Medicine
. 1973 Feb;118(2):5–12.

Life-Threatening Dermatoses

David L Cram
PMCID: PMC1455186  PMID: 4701711

Abstract

Four life-threatening dermatoses—Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Kaposi's varicelliform eruption and purpura fulminans—are unique in their abrupt onset and rapid progress to death, but prompt diagnosis and proper therapy can often cure the condition or prevent undesirable sequelae. Since two of the four conditions can follow the use of a variety of drugs and all may be secondary to an infectious agent, any physician may encounter them in practice and should be aware of their seriousness.

Full text

PDF
5

Images in this article

6Figure 1.
on p.6
6Figure 2.
on p.6
6Figure 3.
on p.6
7Figure 4.
on p.7
7Figure 5.
on p.7
8Figure 6.
on p.8
8Figure 7.
on p.8
9Figure 8.
on p.9
9Figure 9.
on p.9
10Figure 10.
on p.10
11Figure 11.
on p.11
11Figure 12.
on p.11

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. ASHBY D. W., LAZAR T. Erythema multiforme exudativum major (Stevens-Johnson syndrome). Lancet. 1951 May 19;1(6664):1091–1095. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(51)92611-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Antley R. M., McMillan C. W. Sequential coagulation studies in purpura fulminans. N Engl J Med. 1967 Jun 8;276(23):1287–1290. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196706082762304. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Arbuthnott J. P., Gemmell C. G., Kent J., Lyell A. Haemolysin and enzyme patterns of coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from toxic epidermal necrolysis, Ritter's disease and impetigo contagiosa. J Med Microbiol. 1969 Nov 4;2(4):479–487. doi: 10.1099/00222615-2-4-479. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Arbuthnott J. P., Kent J., Lyell A., Gemmell C. G. Toxic epidermal necrolysis produced by an extracellular product of Staphylococcus aureus. Br J Dermatol. 1971 Aug;85(2):145–149. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1971.tb07200.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. BAILEY G., ROSENBAUM J. M., ANDERSON B. TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS. JAMA. 1965 Mar 22;191:979–982. doi: 10.1001/jama.1965.03080120013003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. BOUHASIN J. D. PURPURA FULMINANS. Pediatrics. 1964 Aug;34:264–270. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. BOUHASIN J. D. PURPURA FULMINANS. Pediatrics. 1964 Aug;34:264–270. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Bauer D. J. Clinical experience with the antiviral drug marboran (1-methylisatin 3-thiosemicarbazone). Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1965 Jul 30;130(1):110–117. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1965.tb12545.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Becker F. T., Buckley R. P. Purpura fulminans associated with varicella. Arch Dermatol. 1966 Nov;94(5):613–618. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Bluefarb S. M., Szanto P. Erythema multiforme associated with acute renal tubular necrosis. Arch Dermatol. 1965 Oct;92(4):367–372. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. COMAISH J. S., KERR D. N. Erythema multiforme and nephritis. Br Med J. 1961 Jul 8;2(5244):84–88. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.5244.84. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. COPEMAN P. W., WALLACE H. J. ECZEMA VACCINATUM. Br Med J. 1964 Oct 10;2(5414):906–908. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.5414.906. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Carroll O. M., Bryan P. A., Robinson R. J. Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with long-acting sulfonamides. JAMA. 1966 Feb 21;195(8):691–693. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Corbett M. B., Sidell C. M., Zimmerman M. Idoxuridine in the treatment of cutaneous herpes simplex. JAMA. 1966 May 2;196(5):441–444. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Cram D. L., Soley R. L. Purpura fulminans. Br J Dermatol. 1968 May;80(5):323–327. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1968.tb12306.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Doeglas H. M., Moolhuysen T. M. Kaposi's varicelliform eruption. Two cases caused by herpesvirus hominis infection complicating Darier's disease. Arch Dermatol. 1969 Nov;100(5):592–595. doi: 10.1001/archderm.100.5.592. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. FELDMAN C. A. Staphylococcal scarlet fever. N Engl J Med. 1962 Oct 25;267:877–878. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196210252671709. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. GLASS R. D. Purpura gangrenosa: report of a case, with a discussion of the Shwartzman phenomenon. Med J Aust. 1962 Aug 25;49(2):300–302. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1962.tb20231.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. HITSELBERGER J. F., BURNS R. E. Darier's disease. Report of a case complicated by Kaposi's varicelliform eruption. Arch Dermatol. 1961 Mar;83:425–429. doi: 10.1001/archderm.1961.01580090075009. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. HJORT P. F., RAPAPORT S. I., JORGENSEN L. PURPURA FULMINANS. REPORT OF A CASE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED WITH HEPARIN AND HYDROCORTISONE. REVIEW OF 50 CASES FROM THE LITERATURE. Scand J Haematol. 1964;1:169–192. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1964.tb00014.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Jank M., Söltz-Szöts J. Zur Immunologie des Eczema herpetiforme Kaposi. Hautarzt. 1966 Apr;17(4):173–175. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. KAUFMAN H., MARTOLA E. L., DOHLMAN C. Use of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IDU) in treatment of herpes simplex keratitis. Arch Ophthalmol. 1962 Aug;68:235–239. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1962.00960030239015. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. KEMPE C. H. Studies smallpox and complications of smallpox vaccination. Pediatrics. 1960 Aug;26:176–189. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Koblenzer P. J. Acute epidermal necrolysis (Ritter von Rittershain-Lyell). A clinicopathologic study. Arch Dermatol. 1967 Jun;95(6):608–617. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. LUDLAM G. B., BRIDGES J. B. ASSOCIATION OF STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME WITH ANTIBODY FOR MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE. Lancet. 1964 May 2;1(7340):958–959. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(64)91746-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. LYELL A. Toxic epidermal necrolysis: an eruption resembling scalding of the skin. Br J Dermatol. 1956 Nov;68(11):355–361. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1956.tb12766.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Lane J. M., Ruben F. L., Neff J. M., Millar J. D. Complications of smallpox vaccination, 1968. N Engl J Med. 1969 Nov 27;281(22):1201–1208. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196911272812201. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Lowney E. D., Baublis J. V., Kreye G. M., Harrell E. R., McKenzie A. R. The scalded skin syndrome in small children. Arch Dermatol. 1967 Apr;95(4):359–369. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Lyell A. A review of toxic epidermal necrolysis in Britain. Br J Dermatol. 1967 Dec;79(12):662–671. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1967.tb11434.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Lyell A., Gordon A. M., Dick H. M., Sommerville R. G. Mycoplasmas and erythema multiforme. Lancet. 1967 Nov 25;2(7526):1116–1118. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(67)90620-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Mc Kay D. G. Disseminated intravascular coagulation. Pathology, diagnosis and therapy of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Proc R Soc Med. 1968 Nov;61(11 Pt 1):1129–1134. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. McKay D. G., Margaretten W. Disseminated intravascular coagulation in virus diseases. Arch Intern Med. 1967 Aug;120(2):129–152. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Melish M. E., Glasgow L. A. The staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1970 May 14;282(20):1114–1119. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197005142822002. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Monif G. R., Brunell P. A., Hsiung G. D. Visceral involvement by herpes simplex virus in eczema herpeticum. Am J Dis Child. 1968 Sep;116(3):324–327. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1968.02100020326018. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Nahmias A. J., Froeschle J. E., Feorino P. M., McCord G. Generalized eruption in a child with eczema due to coxsackievirus A16. Arch Dermatol. 1968 Feb;97(2):147–148. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Patterson J. H., Pierce R. B., Amerson J. R., Watkins W. L. Dextran therapy of purpura fulminans. N Engl J Med. 1965 Sep 30;273(14):734–737. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196509302731403. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Rodríguez-Erdmann F. Bleeding due to increased intravascular blood coagulation. Hemorrhagic syndromes caused by consumption of blood-clotting factors (consumption-coagulopathies). N Engl J Med. 1965 Dec 16;273(25):1370–1378. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196512162732506. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Rostenberg A., Jr, Fagelson H. J. Life-threatening drug eruptions. JAMA. 1965 Nov 8;194(6):660–662. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. STETSON C. A., Jr Studies on the mechanism of the Shwartzman phenomenon; certain factors involved in the production of the local hemorrhagic necrosis. J Exp Med. 1951 May;93(5):489–504. doi: 10.1084/jem.93.5.489. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Silverstein E. H., Burnett J. W. Kaposi's varicelliform eruption complicating pemphigus foliaceus. Arch Dermatol. 1967 Feb;95(2):214–216. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Ström J. Febrile mucocutaneous syndromes (ectodermosis erosiva pluriorificialis, Stevens-Johnson's syndrome etc.) in adenovirus infections. Acta Derm Venereol. 1967;47(5):281–286. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Voigt G. C., Kronthal H. L., Crounse R. G. Cardiac output in erythrodermic skin disease. Am Heart J. 1966 Nov;72(5):615–620. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(66)90344-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Wheeler C. E., Jr, Abele D. C. Eczema herpeticum, primary and recurrent. Arch Dermatol. 1966 Feb;93(2):162–173. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Yoshikawa T., Tanaka K. R., Guze L. B. Infection and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Medicine (Baltimore) 1971 Jul;50(4):237–258. doi: 10.1097/00005792-197107000-00001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from California Medicine are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES