Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: B012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2B012
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, B012 (2023)
A patient infected with SARS-Cov-2 presents with DRESS syndrome induced by olanzapine: diagnostic difficulties
Michalina Pinkosz1*, Mateusz Szymański2, Monika Cendrowska-Pinkosz1,3
1 Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewski 4 Street, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
2 Unit of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Regional Specialist Hospital, Kraśnicka 100 Street, 20-718, Lublin, Poland
3 “CM Alergologia”, Stefana Kisielewskiego 6 Street, 20-865 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: pinkoszmichalina00@gmail.com
Abstract
Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is a drug-induced, potentially life-threatening reaction. The pathology of DIHS is connected mainly to drugs as well as certain infectious factors such as viruses. SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 has recently become a major challenge for worldwide healthcare. The dermatological symptoms occur in approximately 5,95% of COVID-19 patients, however, they are not always exclusively a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Certain skin-related symptoms might be a result of therapeutic drug administration as well as personal protective equipment or sanitizers used by medical personnel. Due to the complexity of the pathomechanism of those symptoms, they bear multiple diagnostic difficulties. This article describes diagnostic difficulties that have been encountered in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to heavy respiratory failure in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, we present a case of the patient has been treated with olanzapine for 4 years due to anxiety disorder. On the seventh day of treatment, the patient presented with a maculopapular rash and swollen upper lip. Based on the presented symptoms, the patient has been diagnosed with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Elevated levels of acute phase markers, liver and kidney damage as well as fever are present both during COVID-19 and DRESS. The described atypical features are highlighted by peripheral eosinophilia, which is characteristic of DIHS. In the course of COVID-19, the laboratory-measured levels of eosinophilic granulocytes decline to 0. Therefore, in the active phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the eosinophilia connected with DIHS might be difficult to assess.
How to cite
M. Pinkosz, M. Szymański, M. Cendrowska-Pinkosz, 2023. A patient infected with SARS-Cov-2 presents with DRESS syndrome induced by olanzapine: diagnostic difficulties. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2B012