Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis due to tetrazepam

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2008;18(2):119-22.

Abstract

Tetrazepam is a benzodiazepine that is widely used in Spain as a muscle relaxant, with occasional cutaneous side effects. We report a patient who developed a generalized pruriginous cutaneous reaction compatible with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) due to tetrazepam. Patch tests with bromazepam, diazepam, and tetrazepam were negative at 48 and 72 hours; however, the tetrazepam patch showed a positive reaction at 10 days. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a mononuclear infiltrate composed of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Analysis of interleukin (IL) 8 expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed increased IL-8 mRNA levels in patch test-positive skin. Lymphoblast transformation test (LTT) was positive with tetrazepam but not with diazepam. Positive patch test and LTT suggested that tetrazepam-specific lymphocytes might be responsible for a T cell-mediated reaction. These results support previous data suggesting an important role for IL-8 and drug-specific T cells in the pathogenesis ofAGEP and imply that the reaction was specific to tetrazepam with no cross-reactivity to other benzodiazepines.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arthralgia / drug therapy
  • Benzodiazepines / adverse effects*
  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Codeine / therapeutic use
  • Common Cold / drug therapy
  • Common Cold / immunology
  • Drug Eruptions*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Erythema / chemically induced*
  • Erythema / immunology
  • Exanthema / chemically induced*
  • Exanthema / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / adverse effects*
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / therapeutic use
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Muscle Relaxants, Central
  • Benzodiazepines
  • tetrazepam
  • Codeine