A small subset of patients taking antibiotics such as minocycline develop symptoms resembling those of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE). These symptoms include a severe skin rash that may cover the legs and trunk, arthritic joint pain, and swelling of the lower limbs, as well as the face, lips, ears, and tongue. These symptoms subside once the antibiotic is discontinued. In these individuals, a skin test for hypersensitivity to minocycline within 15 minutes of intradermal injection of the drug is negative. Analysis of the peripheral blood from these patients would likely reveal:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are indicative of a drug-induced lupus erythematosus-like syndrome, which is associated with the formation of IgG antibodies against the drug, in this case, minocycline, rather than an immediate hypersensitivity reaction that would involve IgE antibodies.

A Small Subset of Patients Taking Antibiotics Such as Minocycline