Unveiling Uncommon Etiologies of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis - A Case Series

Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare, severe adverse cutaneous drug reaction characterized by fever and numerous sterile, non-follicular pustules on an erythematous base that manifests 2 to 14 days after drug exposure. While systemic antibiotics, particularly beta-lactams...

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Main Authors: Irene Nirmala Thomas, Sahana Begum Mohamed Sadiq, Nithya Priyadharshini Shanmugam, Arishta Bala, Saranya Mohan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON) 2025-03-01
Series:Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
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Online Access:https://nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/69062
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author Irene Nirmala Thomas
Sahana Begum Mohamed Sadiq
Nithya Priyadharshini Shanmugam
Arishta Bala
Saranya Mohan
author_facet Irene Nirmala Thomas
Sahana Begum Mohamed Sadiq
Nithya Priyadharshini Shanmugam
Arishta Bala
Saranya Mohan
author_sort Irene Nirmala Thomas
collection DOAJ
description Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare, severe adverse cutaneous drug reaction characterized by fever and numerous sterile, non-follicular pustules on an erythematous base that manifests 2 to 14 days after drug exposure. While systemic antibiotics, particularly beta-lactams and macrolides, are frequently implicated, they can also be triggered by other drugs, including hydroxychloroquine, antifungals, antivirals, antineoplastics, and herbal remedies like Ginkgo biloba, curcumin, etc. This case series reports three unusual instances of AGEP after intake of tablet paracetamol, native medicines, and syrup azithromycin. All three patients met the EUROSCAR diagnostic criteria for AGEP, with scores indicating a definite diagnosis. Treatment included the withdrawal of the offending drug, symptomatic management, topical and systemic steroids, resulting in the resolution of lesions within a week. This series emphasizes the necessity of considering rare and less common etiologies, highlighting that drugs like paracetamol, native medicines, and azithromycin, while infrequently associated, can still provoke AGEP. Comprehensive evaluation of all possible triggers is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2091-0231
2091-167X
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON)
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series Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
spelling doaj-art-5de9a3b7b686417fb47b1aaa0b38af0b2025-08-24T10:05:28ZengSociety of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON)Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology2091-02312091-167X2025-03-01231Unveiling Uncommon Etiologies of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis - A Case SeriesIrene Nirmala Thomas0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3508-3251Sahana Begum Mohamed Sadiq1https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2786-7626Nithya Priyadharshini Shanmugam2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0565-8931Arishta Bala3https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0769-2461Saranya Mohan4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8396-9356Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Ammapettai, Chengalpet, Tamil NaduShri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Ammapettai, Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, IndiaShri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute Ammapettai, Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, IndiaShri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Ammapettai, Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, IndiaShri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Ammapettai, Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare, severe adverse cutaneous drug reaction characterized by fever and numerous sterile, non-follicular pustules on an erythematous base that manifests 2 to 14 days after drug exposure. While systemic antibiotics, particularly beta-lactams and macrolides, are frequently implicated, they can also be triggered by other drugs, including hydroxychloroquine, antifungals, antivirals, antineoplastics, and herbal remedies like Ginkgo biloba, curcumin, etc. This case series reports three unusual instances of AGEP after intake of tablet paracetamol, native medicines, and syrup azithromycin. All three patients met the EUROSCAR diagnostic criteria for AGEP, with scores indicating a definite diagnosis. Treatment included the withdrawal of the offending drug, symptomatic management, topical and systemic steroids, resulting in the resolution of lesions within a week. This series emphasizes the necessity of considering rare and less common etiologies, highlighting that drugs like paracetamol, native medicines, and azithromycin, while infrequently associated, can still provoke AGEP. Comprehensive evaluation of all possible triggers is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. https://nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/69062AzithromycinNative medicinesParacetamol
spellingShingle Irene Nirmala Thomas
Sahana Begum Mohamed Sadiq
Nithya Priyadharshini Shanmugam
Arishta Bala
Saranya Mohan
Unveiling Uncommon Etiologies of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis - A Case Series
Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
Azithromycin
Native medicines
Paracetamol
title Unveiling Uncommon Etiologies of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis - A Case Series
title_full Unveiling Uncommon Etiologies of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis - A Case Series
title_fullStr Unveiling Uncommon Etiologies of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis - A Case Series
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling Uncommon Etiologies of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis - A Case Series
title_short Unveiling Uncommon Etiologies of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis - A Case Series
title_sort unveiling uncommon etiologies of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis a case series
topic Azithromycin
Native medicines
Paracetamol
url https://nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/69062
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