COMBINED HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTION TO SODIUM PARA-AMINOSALICYLATE AND ASSOCIATED ANTIBACTERIAL DRUG CONCURRENTLY ADMINISTERED

Abstract

Two case reports are given in which treatment with para-aminosalicylicacid (PAS) and isonicotinic hydrazide (INH) for tuberculosis was complicated by hypersensitivity reactions. The reactions simulated those previously described for PAS alone, and were manifested by chills, fever, transient rash, lymphadenopathy, lymphocytosis with abnormal lymphocytes, neutropenia, and splenomegaly. Identical hypersensitivity reactions in each patient were subsequently evoked by provocative doses of INH and PAS separately. A discussion was presented of possible mechanisms which could produce similar allergic responses to 2 such dissimilar agents, the so-called "combined hypersensitivity reaction." The literature was reviewed; few such cases have been previously described.