Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Jun;31(2):77-83.

Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome: A Literature Review of Associated Viral Reactivation

Abstract

Drug hypersensitivity syndrome is a severe adverse drug reaction characterized by skin eruption and systemic manifestations, such as fever, eosinophilia, lymph node enlargement, hepatitis and renal dysfunction. The pathogenic mechanism of this syndrome is considered multifactorial but still remains to be elucidated. An interesting point is a possible association between drug reaction and herpesvirus reactivation. Since the first case reported by Descamps et al in 1997, there have been scores of reported cases suggesting this association, also being supported by clinical observation of flare-up of disease during the recovery phase. The purpose of this review is to describe its clinical characteristics and to evaluate the possibility of drug and viral interactions in the development of this syndrome through a literature review.

MeSH Terms

Drug Eruptions
Drug Hypersensitivity
Drug Toxicity
Eosinophilia
Fever
Hepatitis
Herpesvirus 6, Human
Lymph Nodes
Skin
Virus Activation