Contact dermatitis caused by diacetylmorphine (heroin) and by morphine have both been described before.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 In addition, a case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) as a reaction to morphine has previously been described.6 The present report describes a patient who was occupationally sensitized to diacetylmorphine, and developed a skin reaction after receiving morphine following surgery.
CASE REPORT
A 55‐year‐old woman with a history of occupational contact dermatitis caused by diacetylmorphine underwent surgery for a mammary carcinoma. In the past, she had worked at a municipal treatment centre for drug addicts until 2000. At that time, she developed allergic contact dermatitis after contact with diacetylmorphine. Patch testing was performed with our departmental extended European baseline series (TRUE Test panels 1 and 2, supplemented with additional investigator‐loaded allergens), a cosmetic series, and an opiate series (SmartPractice Europe, Reinbek, Germany). All investigator‐loaded allergens were tested in Van der Bend square chambers (Van der Bend, Brielle, The Netherlands), and all patch tests were attached to the back with Fixomull stretch (BSN Medical, Hamburg, Germany) for 2 days. Readings were performed on day (D) 2 and D3.
Patch testing showed positive reactions to morphine hydrochloride, morphine, diacetylmorphine, and codeine dihydrophosphate (Table 1). The patient was one of the occupation‐related cases described previously.1, 2 Sixteen years later, she underwent a mastectomy. One day after surgery, she developed an erythematous papular itchy facial rash, which spread over the body on the next day. In addition, vesicles were seen on the face and neck. No signs of fever, laryngitis or pustules were seen. The patient was treated with clobetasol ointment for 1 week, with good results.
Table 1.
Patch test results with the opiate series obtained in 2000
| Allergen | Concentration (%) | Vehicle | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fentanyl citrate | 0.1 | pet. | − | − |
| Oxycodone | 1.0 | pet. | − | − |
| Piritramide (ampoule, 10 mg/mL aq.) | “as is” | − | − | |
| Buprenorphine | 0.1 | pet. | − | − |
| Pentazocine (ampoule, 30 mg/mL aq.) | “as is” | − | − | |
| Methadone | 1.0 | pet. | − | − |
| Tramadol | 1.0 | pet. | − | − |
| Caffeine | 0.5 | pet. | − | − |
| Morphine hydrochloride | 1.0 | aq. | ?+ | + |
| Morphine (10 mg) powder | “as is” | ?+ | + | |
| Diacetylmorphine | 1.0 | pet. | ?+ | + |
| Codeine dihydrophosphate | 1.0 | eth. | ?+ | + |
Abbreviation: eth., ethanol 70%.
During mastectomy, the patient had received morphine, cefazolin, dexamethasone, naproxen, propofol, paracetamol, remifentanil, and rocuronium. After surgery, she was treated with naproxen, paracetamol, pantoprazole, fraxiparine, and ondansetron. She had never reacted to paracetamol, ibuprofen, or naproxen. According to Litt's drug eruption & reaction database, delayed‐type reactions to and exanthemas caused by the other administered drugs are very rare.7 Hypersensitivity to propofol is also rare, and is almost always reported in terms of anaphylactoid reactions or anaphylaxis8 We assume that the patient developed a morphine‐induced delayed‐type cutaneous adverse drug reaction following occupational diacetylmorphine contact dermatitis. An intravenous provocation test to reproduce the skin reaction was not performed, because of the patient's severe rash.
DISCUSSION
We assume that the patient described here developed delayed‐type (type IV) systemic allergic dermatitis caused by morphine in the context of her past occupational contact sensitization to diacetylmorphine. In 2000, besides stopping occupational exposure, the patient was advised to avoid treatment with morphine, diacetylmorphine, and codeine, because of the chemical similarities between these opiates. Nevertheless, she received morphine during surgery in 2016.
Contact dermatitis and AGEP caused by diacetylmorphine and morphine have been reported before.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Furthermore, the chemical similarities between morphine, diacetylmorphine and codeine are well known.9 Thyssen and Maibach, along with Schnyder and Pichler, reviewed the possible pathomechanisms of systemic allergic dermatitis.10, 11 The exact mechanism remains unclear. However, the pharmacological interactions of drugs with immune receptors concept may explain the predominant skin involvement in T cell‐mediated reactions to systemically applied drugs.11
In conclusion, although definite proof by means of a provocation test could not be provided, we feel that reporting this case is of importance to alert those who are occupationally sensitized to opiates to the risk of skin and systemic reactions in cases of future medication with these drugs.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
van den Hoed E, Coenraads PJ, Schuttelaar MLA. Morphine‐induced cutaneous adverse drug reaction following occupational diacetylmorphine contact dermatitis: A case report. Contact Dermatitis. 2019;81:313–315. 10.1111/cod.13302
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