Luca Cătălina MD, PhD

Luca Cătălina MD, PhD
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iasi

Updates on rare or severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions induced by antibiotics
Authors: Cătălina Mihaela Luca, Ioana Alina Harja Alexa, Ioana Maria Hunea

Skin rashes are often met in infectious diseases, dermatology, pediatrics specialties. These lesions may have different causes (viral or bacterial infections, drug – induced, autoimmune, etc.). In some cases, cutaneous adverse drug reactions induced by drugs, including antibiotics may be a real challenge for diagnosis and treatment. In over 90% cases, macular – popular exanthemas, morbiliform or urticarial eruptions are non – severe and have a self – limited evolution. Rarely, atypical lesions (bullous, pemphigus, vasculitis, Steven Johnson syndrome) have an important severity with life – threatening potential. These delayed hypersensitivity reactions have low incidence, but were reported aftfer administration of different types of antibiotics (beta – lactamines, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, glycopeptides, etc). These reactions need a special attention not only because of their lethal potential, but also because of the prolonged hospitalization and treatment with pharmacoeconomic impact.