Human herpesvirus 6 infection associated with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome and reactive haemophagocytic syndrome

V Descamps; F Bouscarat; S Laglenne; E Aslangul; B Veber; D Descamps; J L Saraux; M J Grange; M Grossin; E Navratil; B Crickx; S Belaich

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1997.tb03795.x

Human herpesvirus 6 infection associated with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome and reactive haemophagocytic syndrome

Br J Dermatol. 1997 Oct;137(4):605-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1997.tb03795.x.

Authors

V Descamps¹, F Bouscarat, S Laglenne, E Aslangul, B Veber, D Descamps, J L Saraux, M J Grange, M Grossin, E Navratil, B Crickx, S Belaich

Affiliation

¹ Service de dermatologie, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France.

PMID: 9390340
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1997.tb03795.x

Abstract

Viral infections are thought to play a part in some cutaneous drug reactions. Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), which is the agent of exanthema subitum (sixth disease), has never been implicated in a drug reaction. We report a patient with severe phenobarbital-induced anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome in whom a fulminant haemophagocytic syndrome was associated with HHV6 infection. We discuss the possible role of HHV6 in this reactive condition.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology
Drug Hypersensitivity / virology*
Female
Herpesviridae Infections / complications*
Herpesvirus 6, Human*
Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / pathology
Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / virology*
Humans
Phenobarbital / adverse effects*
Syndrome

Substances

Anticonvulsants
Phenobarbital