Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Observed in a Patient With the HLA-B*1502 Treated With Levofloxacin.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between HLA-B gene mutations and levofloxacin-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

METHODS

A 71-year-old Chinese woman developed TEN after oral administration of solifenacin (5 mg) and levofloxacin (0.5 g) for cystitis. HLA-B*5801 and HLA-B*1502 alleles were detected using real-time PCR.

FINDINGS: After supportive therapy (antiallergic treatments, plasma exchange, etc) and withdrawal of the culprit medication levofloxacin, the patient was discharged with re-epithelialization of the exfoliated skin. The patient was HLA-B*1502 allele positive and HLA-B*5801 allele negative.

IMPLICATIONS: This is the first report of levofloxacin-induced TEN suspected to be caused by mutations in the HLA-B*1502 allele.