Drug Eruption Caused by Azathioprine: Value of Using the Drug‐Induced Lymphocytes Stimulation Test for Diagnosis

• Published in: Journal of dermatology 2004-09, Vol.31 (9), p.731-736
• Main Authors: Mori, Hitoshi, Yamanaka, Keiichi, Kaketa, Masato, Tamada, Kyoko, Hakamada, Arata, Isoda, Ken‐ichi, Yamanishi, Kiyofumi, Mizutani, Hitoshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Azathioprine - adverse effects; Diagnosis, Differential; DLST; drug allergy; Drug Eruptions - diagnosis; Drug Eruptions - etiology; Drug Eruptions - pathology; Female; Humans; immunosuppressant; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Lymphocyte Activation; Middle Aged; Polymyositis - drug therapy; scleroderma; Scleroderma, Systemic - drug therapy
• ISSN: 0385-2407; 1346-8138
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2004.tb00586.x

Azathioprine (AZA) is an immunosuppressant commonly used for organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. Allergic side effects of AZA are rare, and reported allergic skin eruptions from AZA are very limited in Japan. We report AZA‐induced drug eruption that developed in two cases of systemic scleroderma with polymyositis. One case presented with Stevens‐Johnson syndrome, and the other had systemic papular erythema. The stimulation indices of the drug‐induced lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) for AZA in these two patients were as high as 2,180% and 430%, respectively, but those of healthy volunteers were under 120% without nonspecific suppression of lymphocyte proliferation. Other drugs used simultaneously were ruled out by patch and challenge tests. The challenge test for Stevens‐Johnson syndrome type drug allergy is very risky. DLST is a good diagnostic tool for AZA allergy, especially for severe drug allergy cases.