Cotrimoxazole induced Sweet Syndrome case report -A dermatological emergency

Abstract

Abstract Background : Sweet syndrome is an uncommon immune mediated allergic reaction, presenting with acute pyrexia, leukocytosis and erythematous skin lesions with dense neutrophilic dermal infiltration. SS is seen as adverse reaction to some drugs, microbial infections, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, Hashimoto thyroiditis, dermatomyositis and is associated with certain myeloproliferative or haematological neoplasms. Results: A female, aged 43 years came to the hospital with high fever and erythematous, pus filled plaques and nodules on face, neck, shoulders and extremities, after taking tablet Cotrimoxazole 480mg twice daily for 12 days for urinary tract infection. The diagnosis of Sweet syndrome was arrived upon from the reports of biopsy showing predominant neutrophilic infiltrate and relevant laboratory tests. Treatment included oral prednisone and the symptoms resolved in 2 months. Conclusion: As the precise aetiology of Sweet's syndrome is still unknown, vigorous efforts must be made to explore the aetiology of Sweet's syndrome for better diagnosis and treatment. Innovative and effective treatment strategies like targeted therapy may be potentially beneficial to such patients.