Genetic predisposition to oxcarbazepine induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare immunologic reaction that may involve skin or various mucosal surfaces. The etiology may range from multiple pharmacologic agents to viral infections. Associated findings can range from minimal skin and mucosal involvement to extensive dermal exfoliation, nephritis, lymphadenopathy, hepatitis, and multiple serologic abnormalities. We report a female patient of 38 years with a history of drug allergy who was administered oxcarbazepine for the management of right partial bronchial seizure due to left parasagittal mass lesion following which she developed papular rashes all over the body and diagnosed as SJS. Although carbamazepine (CBZ) is the most common cause of SJS, a new anticonvulsant, oxcarbazepine, which is structurally related to CBZ, has been shown to induce SJS.