Recurrent erythema multiforme after alcohol ingestion in a patient receiving ciprofloxacin: a case report

Abstract

The incidence of cutaneous adverse reactions to quinolones is low; moreover their development in patients with concomitant alcohol consumption is a phenomenon that has been scarcely reported. We present a case of 46-year-old male who developed erythema multiforme after ingestion of alcohol, while being treated with ciprofloxacin. The lesion was self-limiting and abstinence from alcohol permitted the completion of the course of therapy without any other adverse reaction.

Introduction

Quinolones are relative safe and well tolerated drugs with therapeutic indications evolving infections of almost all body compartment [1]. The toxicity of these antimicrobial agents often involves the musculoskeletal and the central nervous system [2]. The dermatologic adverse reactions occur in approximately 1% of the patients and they include a broad range of effects, such as exanthema, photosensitivity and pruritus [3]. Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute inflammatory skin reaction that has rarely been associated with quinolone treatment. To date, evidence regarding the development of this rare adverse reaction is mainly drawn from case reports and single-arm series with small patient numbers [4,5]. A review of the adverse cutaneous events related to ciprofloxacin treatment in Sweden between 1988 and 2000, revealed 116 cases, only two of which were diagnosed with EM [5]. Among the few reports that have been published, only one has documented the development of skin reaction to ciprofloxacin after alcohol consumption [6]. We describe a case of a patient who developed EM after ingestion of alcohol, while being treated with ciprofloxacin.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old Caucasian Greek male presented to our department complaining about recurrent episodes of a bullous erythema in the pretibial region. Two weeks previously the patient was diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome and was commenced on a four-week trial with ciprofloxacin (500 mg PO every 12 hours). During the second week of treatment he noticed the presence of the skin reaction after the ingestion of alcohol (5%). The lesion was self-limiting lasting for few hours but recurred after alcohol consumption. The patient did not receive any other medication during that period and reported no previous history of drug allergy. Furthermore, although he described a long history of alcohol consumption he reported no adverse reaction. Subsequent physical examination and routine laboratory tests were normal. A skin biopsy was performed and showed epidermal necrosis with individual dyskeratotic keratinocytes, and a perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes; histological features consistent with the diagnosis of EM. Abstinence from alcohol permitted the remission of the bullous erythema and the completion of the course of ciprofloxacin without any other adverse reaction.

Discussion

Erythema multiforme is an acute, self-limiting, mucocutaneous reaction characterized by target or iris lesions of the skin [7]. It may be episodic or recurrent with great variability in the interval between episodes. It tends to arise in the third and fourth decades of life and is rarely seen under the age of 3 years or over the age of 50 years [8]. Previously, the condition was thought to be part of a clinical spectrum of disease that also included two more severe forms, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Nonetheless, there is increasing evidence that the later two are distinct from EM, due to their contrasting clinical presentations and potential causes [9].

The development of EM has been associated with both infectious and drug triggers. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most commonly identified cause. Previous studies have reported that approximately 70% of cases were precipitated by a preceding HSV infection [10,11]. Mycoplasma pneumonia and fungal infection are also commonly reported etiologies, especially in children [12]. The medications most often associated with EM are barbiturates, hydantoins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, penicillins and sulfonamides [13].

In our case the EM developed after the consumption of alcohol in a patient being treated with ciprofloxacin. After taking under consideration the absence of any obvious etiologic factors, the recurrence of patient’s skin reaction after alcohol ingestion and the complete remission after alcohol abstinence, we suspected the presence of a possible causal association between ciprofloxacin, alcohol ingestion and EM. Previous reports have documented the appearance of cutaneous reaction to ciprofloxacin [4,5,14,15] and among them one case described the onset of symptoms after the ingestion of ethanol [6].

As noted above the time sequence of alcohol ingestion and the onset of the skin reaction, probable is more than incidental. We could speculate that the interactions between ciprofloxacin and ethanol oxidising enzymes in the hepatic level could produce metabolites capable of triggering a hypersensitivity reaction such as EM. Furthermore, chronic alcohol consumption can alter the function of both cellular and humoral immune mechanisms [16]. Deregulation of these mechanisms has also been implicated in the development of EM [7,9]. Hence, our patient’s past and present history of alcohol use could render him more susceptible to EM.

In summary, physicians should always be alert for adverse drug reactions; rapid recognition and prompt withdrawal of the causative agent are crucial for reducing any further toxicity. Patients that are being treated with ciprofloxacin should better avoid alcohol; nevertheless, due to the absence of a clear association between the two agents no firm suggestions can be made.

Abbreviations

EM

Erythema multiforme

HSV

Herpes simplex virus

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contribution

All authors contributed equally to this work. DI and PA analyzed and interpreted the patient data, LE and KN performed the histological examination of the skin biopsy, CJ, KI, AP and KD reviewed the current literature,, KK and MA contributed in writing the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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