SENSITIVITY TO SULFADIAZINE RESEMBLING ACUTE DISSEMINATED LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

The widespread use of sulfonamide compounds has resulted in a variety of complicating systemic and cutaneous reactions. Darke¹ has recently reported a series of 218 cases in which the patients were treated topically with 5 per cent sulfathiazole ointment. Five per cent of these patients were found to be sensitive to the drug. Photosensitization of the skin after oral ingestion of sulfathiazole has been reported and discussed by Livingood and Pillsbury.² Clark³ described a case of severe dermatitis confined to the exposed skin of a patient's face, ears, neck and hands. The dermatitis followed oral administration of sulfathiazole ten days after it had been used as an ointment. From time to time it has been suggested that disseminated lupus erythematosus may have an allergic basis. Pulay⁴ and Gennerich⁵ were among the first to note the hypersensitiveness of patients having disseminated lupus erythematosus.