[A case of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome caused by levofloxacin used for treating pulmonary tuberculosis]

Kekkaku. 2014 Feb;89(2):51-6.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

The patient was a 27-year-old man with pulmonary tuberculosis, who was initially treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. However, because of hepatic dysfunction and visual impairment, the four-drug therapy was switched to a three-drug regimen with isoniazid, rifampicin, and levofloxacin. At 9 weeks after the initiation of levofloxacin, the patient developed cervical lymphadenopathy, fever, systemic erythema, and hepatic dysfunction. He was diagnosed with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) based on positive results in the human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 DNA test, an indicator of HHV-6 reactivation. The symptoms improved after withdrawal of the antituberculosis drugs and initiation of steroid administration. However, considering the risk of relapse of DIHS, the tuberculosis treatment, which was initially planned for 9 months, was stopped at 7 months. Neither DIHS nor tuberculosis recurred.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Humans
  • Levofloxacin / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Syndrome
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Levofloxacin