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. 2003 Mar;93(3):489-92.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.3.489.

Outbreak of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with mebendazole and metronidazole use among Filipino laborers in Taiwan

Kow-Tong Chen  1 , Shiing-Jer Twu, Hong-Jen Chang, Ruey-Shiung Lin
Affiliations

Outbreak of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with mebendazole and metronidazole use among Filipino laborers in Taiwan

Kow-Tong Chen et al. Am J Public Health. 2003 Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to identify the risk factors associated with an outbreak of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) among Filipino laborers in Taiwan.

Methods: Forty-six SJS/TEN patients were matched to 92 controls according to month of arrival in Taiwan, sex, and age.

Results: The odds ratio for development of SJS/TEN was 9.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.9, 23.9) among workers who had used both metronidazole and mebendazole sometime in the preceding 6 weeks. In addition, a gradient increase in the occurrence of SJS/TEN was found with an increasing level of exposure to metronidazole.

Conclusions: This outbreak highlights the risk of SJS/TEN resulting from the use of both metronidazole and mebendazole and the need for control measures.

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