Professional paper

Toxic epidermal necrolysis after linezolid administration: Case report

DUBRAVKA IVIĆ ; Department of Anaesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4. 31000 Osijek, Croatia
JOSIP IVIĆ ; Department of Anaesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4. 31000 Osijek, Croatia
GORDANA DOŠEN ; Department of Anaesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4. 31000 Osijek, Croatia
KSENIJA MARJANOVIĆ ; Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are severe skin reactions characterised by epidermal
necrolysis. Skin reactions develop as a result of drug induced keratinocyte apoptosis. Certain drugs, like nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory agents, antimicrobial substances and anticonvulsants, cause TEN or SJS more frequently. We present the
case of a fatal adverse cutaneous reaction after linezolid administration in a 66-year old patient with severe staphylococcal
pneumonia during treatment in the intensive care unit. According to data from the National Agency for Medicinal Products
and Medical Devices of Croatia (HALMED), TEN is a rare, but not an unexpected, side effect of this antimicrobial drug. Time
of occurrence, distribution and the extent of skin lesions are not typical of TEN, but the result of the postmortal skin biopsy
clearly indicates the cause of the reaction.

Keywords

epidermal necrolysis; toxic; linezolid; drug-related side effects and adverse reaction

Hrčak ID:

134234

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/134234

Publication date:

1.10.2014.

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