Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Introduction: A new MIS-C that develops after the acute stage of COVID-19 infection has recently been reported worldwide. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome is a rare but potentially severe adverse drug-induced reaction most commonly associated with anticonvulsants. Due to variability in clinical presentation involving cutaneous and multiorgan systems, broad differential diagnosis, and lack of definitive diagnostic tests, diagnosis may be delayed.
Case Reports: The authors report 2 cases of pediatric patients who presented with fever, diffuse rash, and exposure to COVID-19 infection with suspected MIS-C. Both patients' medical histories revealed carbamazepine treatment for approximately 2 months. The diagnosis of DRESS syndrome was associated with the use of carbamazepine.
Conclusions: Distinguishing between MIS-C and DRESS syndrome may be difficult due to similar clinical and laboratory features and the lack of definitive diagnostic tests for either condition. When encountering cases like the current report, it is important to consider DRESS syndrome for early diagnosis and medical intervention.
Introduction
Since early December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major public health issue affecting individuals worldwide. Although the disease seems to have a milder clinical course in the pediatric population, and can even be classified as asymptomatic, there is increasing recognition of MIS-C temporally associated with COVID-19.[1,2] Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome is a potentially life-threatening cutaneous and systemic drug reaction characterized by rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, hematologic abnormalities (eosinophilia and/or atypical lymphocytosis), and multiple internal organ involvement. It has also been associated with reactivation of herpes viruses.[3] The authors report 2 cases of pediatric patients who presented with MIS-C suspicion but were diagnosed with carbamazepine-induced DRESS syndrome.
Wounds. 2022;34(10):E101-E103. © 2022 HMP Communications, LLC
