Hypersensitivity Syndrome - a clinical case report

Abstract

Pharmacological therapy results in complications
in approximately 19% of all hospitalised patients and
cutaneous complications are most frequently
encountered (2 to 3%). Although in most cases the
adverse events are mild, they can be serious,
presenting as Stevens-Jonhson Syndrome, toxic
epidermal necrolysis or as a hypersensitivity
syndrome. With respect to the hypersensitivity
syndrome, anti-convulsant and sulphonamides are
the drugs most frequently involved, but several other
drugs have been implicated, including, Captopril.
The authors present the case of a 75-year-old
woman who initiated therapy with Captopril and
presented 4 weeks later with a complicated case.
The patient had fever, skin rash, hepatic failure,
acute renal failure, pneumonitis, pericarditis,
lymphocytosis with atypical lymphocytes, and
eosinophilia. The exuberant presentation was highly
suggestive of hypersensitivity syndrome and the
diagnosis was confirmed following clinical investigation and evolution.