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| LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 55
| Issue : 3 | Page : 192-193 |
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Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema due to super-bioavailable itraconazole
Arunima Dhabal1, Nilay Kanti Das1, Amrita Sil2
1 Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2 Department of Pharmacology, Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital, Rampurhat, West Bengal, India
| Date of Submission | 24-Feb-2023 |
| Date of Decision | 12-Jun-2023 |
| Date of Acceptance | 28-Jun-2023 |
| Date of Web Publication | 01-Aug-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Arunima Dhabal
48/3, Rishi Aurobindo Sarani, Kolkata - 700 090, West Bengal
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijp.ijp_102_23
How to cite this article:
Dhabal A, Das NK, Sil A. Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema due to super-bioavailable itraconazole. Indian J Pharmacol 2023;55:192-3 |
How to cite this URL:
Dhabal A, Das NK, Sil A. Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema due to super-bioavailable itraconazole. Indian J Pharmacol [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 4];55:192-3. Available from: https://www.ijp-online.com/text.asp?2023/55/3/192/382566 |
Sir,
Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is an infrequently encountered dermatological adverse drug event occurring in susceptible persons after systemic administration of certain drugs, irrespective of prior sensitization. Earlier described as Baboon syndrome, the term SDRIFE was proposed later as a more appropriate description of the distinct morphology and distribution of lesions seen in this condition. Although numerous drugs have been reported as causative agents, there are very few reports implicating itraconazole as a possible trigger. We describe a probable case of super-bioavailable itraconazole-induced SDRIFE in a young boy.
A 13-year-old boy presented to us with an itchy rash that initially appeared on his groins and rapidly progressed to involve his buttocks, neck, and underarms over a period of 7 days. The lesions developed a day after he was administered the first dose of super-bioavailable itraconazole 130 mg (Itratuf SB 130® capsule; manufactured by Synokem Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India; batch no IST22008SH; expiry date February 2024) for tinea cruris. The patient had not been exposed to itraconazole in any formulation before this episode. Physical examination revealed bilaterally symmetrical erythematous scaly patches on the neck, axillae, inguinal, and gluteal regions, extending to the medial thighs and lower abdomen [Figure 1]. Mucosa was spared and there was no evidence of systemic involvement. | Figure 1: Bilaterally symmetrical erythematous scaly patches on the neck, axillae, inguinal, and gluteal regions
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Routine blood parameters were within the normal limits. The patient did not consent for skin biopsy or drug provocation test. Based on clinical evidence and temporal association with administration of the drug, our case was diagnosed with SDRIFE. Itraconazole was discontinued and cyclosporine 200 mg/day was administered along with topical steroids. The patient showed clinical improvement within 7 days.
The Naranjo's adverse drug reaction (ADR) probability scale and the WHO-UMC scale were used to assess causality.[1],[2] The score according to Naranjo's ADR probability scale was calculated to be 6, thus establishing our case to be a “probable” ADR to super-bioavailable itraconazole. The WHO-UMC scale also showed a “probable” causality to the drug. The Hartwig's Severity Assessment Scale indicated that the ADR was of Level 3 “moderate severity” where the drug was needed to be discontinued, and an antidote was required.[3] However, the patient was treated on an outdoor basis and there was no hospital stay. The ADR was reported to the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (partner of the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring managed by the Uppsala Monitoring Center, Sweden) with worldwide unique id of IN-IPC-300721550.
Baboon syndrome was first described in 1984 as a sharply demarcated erythematous rash involving the gluteal regions and medial thighs (similar to a Baboon's red rump) occurring in response to systemic or local exposure to medications or contact allergens.[4] Since then, more than a hundred cases of such lesions have been reported under various names, such as systemic contact dermatitis, systemically-induced allergic contact dermatitis, drug-induced intertrigo, and eczema rubrum. The term “SDRIFE” was put forward in 2004 to describe a self-limiting rash occurring on the administration of a systemic drug, regardless of known prior sensitization. The diagnosis is made on the basis of 5 criteria: systemic drug exposure; well-defined erythema over gluteal areas or V-shaped erythema on groins; involvement of a minimum of another flexural area; symmetrical involvement; and lack of systemic symptoms.[5]
Among the drugs causing SDRIFE, beta-lactam antibiotics such as amoxicillin are most commonly implicated. Other triggering drugs reported include cotrimoxazole, nystatin, fluconazole, codeine, pseudoephedrine, monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapy agents, and iodine-containing radiocontrast media. We found only one previous report of SDRIFE implicating itraconazole as the causative agent.[5] The pathogenetic mechanisms of SDRIFE are still unknown, although most authors have suggested the role of a type IV delayed hypersensitivity response. The diagnosis of SDRIFE is primarily clinical, with previous reports suggesting that a positive patch test is seen only in 50% cases. Histological characteristics are also nonspecific, with findings ranging from superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltration to subepidermal bullae.[5]
SDRIFE is an uncommon drug reaction often misdiagnosed in clinical practice. This report highlights the necessity to maintain a high level of suspicion for this ADR in patients with a symmetric flexural eruption following any systemic drug intake.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained appropriate consent from the patient for his images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient understands that name and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| » References | |  |
| 1. | Naranjo CA, Busto U, Sellers EM, Sandor P, Ruiz I, Roberts EA, et al. A method for estimating the probability of adverse drug reactions. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1981;30:239-45.  |
| 2. | The use of the WHO-UMC System for Standardized Case Causality Assessment. Uppsala: The Uppsala Monitoring Centre; 2005. Available from: http://www.who-umc.org/graphics/4409.pdf. [Last accessed on 2023 Feb 23]. |
| 3. | Hartwig SC, Siegel J, Schneider PJ. Preventability and severity assessment in reporting adverse drug reactions. Am J Hosp Pharm 1992;49:2229-32. |
| 4. | Andersen KE, Hjorth N, Menné T. The baboon syndrome: Systemically-induced allergic contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 1984;10:97-100. |
| 5. | Mohapatra M, Panda M, Kar BR, Raj C. Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema due to itraconazole: An uncommon side effect of a commonly used drug. Indian Dermatol Online J 2017;8:501-3. [ PUBMED] [Full text] |
[Figure 1]
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