Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis presumably induced by norfloxacin

Abstract

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare mucocutaneous, unpredictable, life-threatening drug side reactions. A very rare case of norfloxacin-induced SJS/TEN overlap with uncommon clinical presentation in a patient with a suspected urinary tract infection is reported. The SJS/TEN management with possible treatment capabilities are discussed. In spite of only two previous reports of norfloxacin-induced SJS and TEN we believe that awareness of norfloxacin adverse reactions needs to be raised among prescribers.

Introduction

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare but potentially lethal acute adverse drug reactions of differing severity, characterized by erythema and epidermal detachment of the skin and mucous membranes. The SJS and TEN are considered the same disease process; the distinction is made based on body surface area involvement. The SJS is characterized by < 10% of the body surface area of epidermal detachment, SJS/TEN overlap by 10–30%, and TEN by > 30% [1]. The most commonly implicated drugs are carbamazepine, allopurinol, co-trimoxazole, lamotrigine, nevirapine, sulfonamides, cephalosporins and tetracyclines. To our knowledge, this is the third case of SJS/TEN spectrum that could be related to the use of oral norfloxacin [2–4].

Case report

A 68-year-old man presented with multiple non-coalescing macular lesions on the skin of the trunk, face and upper extremities of 2 days’ duration (Figure 1). Based on anamnesis he was taking atorvastatin (used regularly for the last year) and Neurovit (thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin) (used periodically for the last few months, last doses taken in the preceding week), and for 4 days before the onset of lesions 400 mg norfloxacin twice daily, because of a suspected urinary tract infection.

Figure 1.

Left side of the face with macular and exfoliative skin lesions

On admission, lesions covered 20% of the body surface area. One day later, lesions extended over the scrotum, perianal area and palmar area. Flaccid blisters and erosions developed on the base of erythematous lesions (Figure 2). The Nikolsky's sign was positive. Within the next 2 days, conjunctival hyperemia and blisters, erosions and ulcerations of the oral mucosa appeared leading to difficulties in swallowing and visual impairment. The SCROTEN scale score was 3 points and 2 points on admission and third day of hospitalization, respectively. General physical examinations were normal, except heart rate (130/min).

Figure 2.

Well-marginated, non-coalescing flaccid blisters and erosions of the trunk developed on the erythematous base. This is a rather uncommon presentation of SJS, more expected in pemphigus

Laboratory findings upon admission revealed leucocytosis, hypoalbuminemia and hypokalemia. Histopathological examination revealed necrotic keratinocytes, vacuolar degeneration in the basal layer, papillary dermal edema and lymphocytic perivascular infiltrates. Civatte bodies in epidermis were present confirming keratinocyte apoptosis (Figure 3). Indirect immunofluorescence test was negative. Direct immunofluorescence showed no immune complexes neither in epidermis nor in the dermal-epidermal border. Blood, throat and urine cultures were also negative. Based on anamnesis, clinical appearance and histopathological image analysis, SJS/TEN was diagnosed.

Figure 3.

Histopathological examination of a skin sample taken from the right shoulder area revealed necrotic keratinocytes, vacuolar degeneration in the basal layer, papillary dermal edema and lymphocytic perivascular infiltrates. Keratinocyte necrosis is of rather lower intensity than expected in SJS

Intravenous methylprednisolone 500 mg daily (2 days) and 250 mg daily (next 3 days), oral cyclosporine A (3 mg/kg b.w. with serum-level monitoring, 19 days), intravenous fluids and supportive care together with topical therapy for the oral, ocular, and genital mucosa were initiated. Due to massive oral mucosa erosions, parenteral nutrition was also started. The patient was discharged after 30-day hospitalization in overall good condition.

Discussion

The SJS and TEN are rare mucocutaneous, unpredictable, life-threatening drug side reactions. Uncommonly, the disease is caused by Mycoplasma spp., Herpes simplex virus or Hepatitis C and B viruses infections. The highest mortality among causing drugs was found from antibiotic treatment, the lowest from using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [5]. Most widespread antibiotics causing SJS/TEN are aminopenicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, tetracyclines and quinolones (mainly ciprofloxacin) [6, 7].

It is very difficult to indicate a drug responsible for SJS/TEN development in the patient taking multiple medications at the same time, as in described case. In most incidents of drug-induced SJS/TEN, initial skin symptoms appear 2–3 weeks after suspicious medication application, but antibiotics can act more rapidly (a few days, even after a single dose) [5, 8]. Therefore, we suggest norfloxacin is a causative agent of SJS/TEN in the reported case. No data can be found linking B-group vitamins with SJS or TEN, but probably vitamin B-complex can aggravate the carbamazepine-induced TEN [9]. Our patient was taking B-group vitamins before norfloxacin application, what could intensify epidermal toxic reaction. The mechanism of such possible interaction is not known, and it needs to be investigated in detail.

Several therapies have been proposed for TEN, with contradictory results. Currently, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) and plasmapheresis are considered most effective [10, 11]. There is a risk of serious adverse effects with plasmapheresis similar to blood transfusion. Use of corticosteroids is generally controversial, however some authors suggest that corticosteroids are effective if administered within 72 h from the onset of first symptoms [12].

Cyclosporine A has been used in the treatment of TEN since 1986. It acts by T cells activity decreasing and weakness of immune response as a result of calcineurin inhibition. In a report by Arevalo et al., there was a 0% mortality rate in TEN patients treated with 3 mg/kg b.w. of cyclosporine A compared to 50% mortality in patients treated with methylprednisolone with cyclophosphamide [13]. The use of cyclosporine A was associated with lower levels of hepatic, renal and cardiac injury. We believe that cyclosporine A with short-term early methylprednisolone administration can be successfully used when IVIG and plasmapheresis are contraindicated.

Conclusions

The SJS and TEN reactions have been reported as adverse effects of several fluoroquinolones. Despite no hard evidence of drug lymphocyte stimulation test results and only two previous reports of norfloxacin-induced SJS and TEN we believe that awareness of norfloxacin adverse reactions needs to be raised among prescribers [2, 3]. Norfloxacin-induced SJS may mimic pemphigus, what makes diagnosis more challenging.

Conflict of interest

There is no conflict of interest.