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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016 May 4;116(6):544–553. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2016.03.030

Table 5.

Clinical data for cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) to vancomycin (n=6)

Age
(yrs
)
Sex
(m/f
)
Infection
treated
Reactio
n
timing*
Rash description Lab data Biopsy Treatment Outcome
Changela
et al.
2013
35 M MRSA
abscess
9d Dusky purpuric
plaques and
multiple fluid
filled blisters on
the trunk, upper
and lower
extremities. 30%
of BSA
IgA:
154mg/dL
Necrotic
epidermis
Severe
blisters at
DE junction
Necrotic
keratocytes
IV steroids for
4d
Oral steroid
taper
Clinically
improved
O’Brien
et al.
2011
46 F Respiratory
failure
“few” d Epidermal
sloughing,
erosions and
blisters over 40%
BSA. Nikolsky
sign positive
Epidermal
necrosis,
minimal
interface,
and
perivascular
lymphocytic
infiltrate
Discontinuatio
n of
vancomycin
Terminally
ill, deceased
Bouaziz
et al.
2006
38 F Fistula 9d MP rash, fever,
oral, ocular and
mucous membrane
erosions, diffuse
blisters, Nikolsky
sign positive, 50%
epidermal skin
detachment
Serum drug
level
20mg/L
Follicular
necrosis DE
detachment
IV fluids
Anti-infectious
therapy
Nutritional
support
Skin care
Deceased
day 13, from
HSR
Chan-
Tack
2000
46 F Infected hip
joint
prosthesis
8d Diffuse flaccid
bullae covering
50% BSA,
necrotic epidermis.
Epidermal
necrosis and
detachment
Whirlpool
therapy
Topical
antimicrobial
Nutritional
support
Pain control
Clinically
improved,
discharged
after 8
weeks
Alexande
r et al.
1996
36 M Endocarditi
s
17d MP rash involving
torso, abdomen,
legs and arms.
Lymphadenopathy
, pharyngreal
irritation, lip
swelling, and
conjunctival
irritation.
ANC:
1;911/mm3
Eosinophili
a (13-28%)
Epidermal
necrosis
DE junction
blisters
Dermal
infiltration
Steroid therapy Clinical
improvemen
t within 24h
Vidal et
al. 1992
28 M S. aureus
sepsis
(history of
AIDS)
27d MP rash, fever,
oral mucosa and
genitals involved.
Nikolsky’s sign
positive
ESR:
78mm/hour
ANC:
1,349/mm3
Lymphocyti
c and
neutrophilic
subdermal
infiltration
Switched
therapy
Recovered,
discharged
after 57d
*

Timing from vancomycin dose to reaction onset

Abbreviations: MRSA: methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus; d: days; BSA: body surface area; DE: dermal-epidermal; IV: intravenous; MP: maculopapular; HSR: hypersensitivity reaction; ANC: absolute neutrophil count; AIDS: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate