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Case Reports
. 2020 May 22;99(21):e20389.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000020389.

Clindamycin-induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: A case report

Kumpol Aiempanakit  1 , Benjawan Apinantriyo  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Clindamycin-induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: A case report

Kumpol Aiempanakit et al. Medicine (Baltimore). .

Abstract

Rationale: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a severe pustular cutaneous adverse drug reaction. Sterile, non-follicular pustules overlying the erythematous skin characterize this reaction.

Patient concerns: A 30-year-old Asian women presented with sterile, non-follicular lesions with pus-fluid levels on her back 2 days after taking clindamycin. Skin biopsy revealed a spongiotic change in the epidermis with a focal subcorneal pustule and perivascular eosinophil and lymphocyte infiltration.

Diagnosis: Clindamycin-induced AGEP.

Interventions: We discontinued clindamycin treatment and prescribed systemic corticosteroids.

Outcomes: The pustule stopped spreading within 1 day and the rash improved within 2 days.

Lessons: AGEP is a pustular cutaneous adverse drug reaction that can appear with pus-fluid levels, clinically mimicking Sneddon-Wilkinson disease. The differentiation between both conditions is a history of drug use, characteristic skin lesions and histopathology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors state that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical photographs. (A) Pus-fluid levels on erythematous patch predominate on the back. (B) Close-up photograph showing pus accumulating in the lower half with overlying clear fluid.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dermatopathology studies showing spongiosis of the epidermis with a focal subcorneal pustule and superficial perivascular eosinophil and lymphocyte infiltration (hematoxylin–eosin stain, original magnification ×10).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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