Wells syndrome (eosinophilic cellulitis): Proposed diagnostic criteria and a literature review of the drug-induced variant
- PMID: 24421864
- PMCID: PMC3888780
- DOI: 10.3315/jdcr.2013.1157
Wells syndrome (eosinophilic cellulitis): Proposed diagnostic criteria and a literature review of the drug-induced variant
Abstract
Background: Wells syndrome is an uncommon inflammatory dermatosis first described in 1971 by Wells. The clinical eruption is characterized by varying morphology and severity and usually follows a relapsing remitting course. The majority of the reported cases are of unknown etiology, drug induced Wells syndrome has rarely been reported. A literature search using MEDLINE was performed. We recorded the features of our case and of the additional cases of drug induced Wells syndrome in the literature.
Main observations: Including our case there are 25 cases of drug-induced Wells syndrome reported. Causative drugs include antibiotics, anticholinergic agents, anaesthetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, thyroid medications, chemotherapeutic agents, thiomersal containing vaccinations, anti-tumor necrosis factor agents and thiazide diuretics.
Conclusions: To the authors knowledge this is the first reported case of drug-induced Wells syndrome from thiazide diuretics. The diagnosis of Wells syndrome is often controversial and we propose a set of diagnostic criteria.
Keywords: aliskiren; antibiotics; diuretic; drug reaction; drug-induced; eosinophilia; etanercept; hydrochlorothiazide; hypertension; penicillin.
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References
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