CARBAMAZEPINE-INDUCED HYPERSENSITIVITY SY NDROME

2 weeks after initiation of carbamazepine therapy a 3 year old boy pre sented with skin rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and nephritis. After exclusion of infectious diseases our differential dia gnosis focussed on carbamazepine induced hypersensitivity syndrome. We found a positive lymphocyte transformation assay and patch test to ca rbamazepine, indicating a specific response, but no anticarbamazepine antibody, no circulating immune complexes and no decrease in complemen t components. The hypersensitivity syndrome refers to a severe hyperse nsitivity response due to a idiosyncratic reaction. The origin is unkn own. The similarity to other multisystem disorders is discussed. Discu ssion: Not only aromatic antiepileptic agents (carbamazepine, phenobar bital, phenytoin) sulfonamides but as well allopurinol and gold salts are associated with the syndrome. Withdrawal of the drug and treatment with corticosteroids usually lead to complete recovery.