Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift für Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete
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DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms), also known as hypersensitivity syndrome (HSS), is a severe and potentially life-threatening drug reaction. The worldwide rate of mortality is about 10 %, its incidence is increasing. Drugs that most frequently induce DRESS are aromatic anticonvulsive drugs (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenobarbital), and more recently new retroviral therapies. ⋯ No specific clinical, histologic or laboratory parameter is available, so the diagnosis has to rely on the clinical appearance. The long latency period between start of drug intake and the initial manifestation of DRESS and the successive onset of skin and organ involvement complicates the early diagnosis. Although or even because DRESS represents a diagnostic challenge, detailed knowledge about this disease is of utmost importance to enable early therapeutic actions.