Pseudomembranous colitis in a patient with lamotrigine-induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome

Abstract

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a hypersensitivity reaction with rash, fever and multiorgan dysfunction potentially lethal in up to 10% of cases. It often affects liver function, but it can also affect kidney, lungs, and heart. Severe gastrointestinal involvement is rare. We present a case of a 31-year-old hispanic woman with pseudomembranous colitis associated with lamotrigine-induced DRESS syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of severe involvement of the gastrointestinal tract and the first to report pseudomembranous colitis in the setting of DRESS syndrome.

Keywords

• DRESS syndrome
• multiorgan involvement
• pseudomembranous colitis
• lamotrigine
• anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome