Sweet Syndrome Masquerading as Severe Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

Sweet Syndrome is an uncommon condition noted to occur worldwide, and it usually occurs in females aged between 30 to 50 years. Its exact prevalence is unknown. Hereby, authors report a case of 34-year-old female with a past medical history of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasm Antibody (ANCA) vasculitis, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on haemodialysis and history of recent hospitalisation for sepsis secondary to multifocal pneumonia presented with fever and disseminated bullous rash. Patient was started on board spectrum antibiotics in view of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) positivity. Subsequently, she underwent skin biopsy due to lack of improvement of symptoms on antibiotics. It showed dermal neutrophilic infiltrates suggestive of sweet syndrome. Patient was then started on high dose intravenous steroids with subsequent improvement of her symptoms. She was gradually transitioned to oral steroids and was discharged in a stable condition. Thus, Sweet syndrome is an uncommon condition which can easily be confused with other medical conditions like infection or vasculitis. Careful assessment and thorough work up including skin biopsy are vital in confirming the diagnosis.

Keywords

• bullous rash
• sepsis
• vasculitis