{"id":1496,"date":"2026-05-14T12:46:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T12:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/?p=1496"},"modified":"2026-05-14T12:46:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T12:46:04","slug":"oxcarbazepine-induced-systemic-lupus-erythematosus-a-clinical-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/?p=1496","title":{"rendered":"Oxcarbazepine induced systemic lupus erythematosus: a clinical challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Eduardo L\u00f3pez Vera<\/span>a<\/span><\/a>,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Corresponding author<\/div>\n
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elopez.vera@outlook.es<\/a>
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\nCorresponding author.<\/span><\/div>\n
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, Elisabeth G\u00f3mez Moyano<\/span>a<\/span><\/a><\/span>, Mar\u00eda Ayala Blanca<\/span>b<\/span><\/a><\/span>, Mar\u00eda Salas Cassinello<\/span>c<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

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<\/a>a\u00a0<\/span>Department of Dermatology, Hospital Regional Universitario de M\u00e1laga, M\u00e1laga, Spain<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a>b\u00a0<\/span>Department of Pathology, Hospital Regional Universitario de M\u00e1laga, M\u00e1laga, Spain<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a>c\u00a0<\/span>Department of Alergy, Hospital Regional Universitario de M\u00e1laga, M\u00e1laga, Spain<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n
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Article information<\/div>\n
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Dear Editor,<\/div>\n
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Systemic lupus erythematosus triggered by medications is a serious adverse effect that is often incorrectly identified within the range of erythema multiforme diseases, posing significant diagnostic challenges.<\/p>\n

A 46-year-old man was referred because of an erythematous, targetoid, and coalescent rash of acute onset over the last 48\u202fhours. Patient history included elevated blood pressure and borderline psychiatric disorder under treatment with hydrochlorothiazide and oxcarbazepine for over two years. Recently, paracetamol and metamizol were added because of EBV infection a month prior. On physical examination, confluent erythematous violaceus and targetoid lesions affected the face with a \u201cbutterfly wing\u201d distribution, as well as the oral mucosa, neck, and upper trunk. Denudation was intermittently observed (Fig. 1 and 2<\/a>). Joint tenderness and stiffness were also present.<\/p>\n

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\"Erythematous<\/a><\/div>\n
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Figure 1.<\/p>\n

Erythematous targetoid coalescent rash with cephalocaudal distribution and central erosion involving the face, neck and upper trunk.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Erythematous<\/a><\/div>\n
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Figure 2.<\/p>\n

Erythematous coalescent rash with central erosion in upper back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Histopathology revealed vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer, necrotic keratinocytes, and a superficial and perivascular lymphocytic and polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltrate (Fig. 3<\/a>). Concurrently, Direct Immunofluorescence (DIF) demonstrated granular deposits of IgM and C3 at the dermo-epidermal junction. Other DIF markers (IgG, IgA and fibrinogen) resulted negative.<\/p>\n

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Figure 3.<\/p>\n

Histological findings showing focal epidermal necrosis and vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer, with lymphomonocytic and neutrophilic perivascular and upper-dermal infiltrates (Hematoxylin & eosin, \u00d7100).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Blood tests showed thrombocytopenia (110\u202f\u00d7\u202f109<\/span>\/L), lymphopenia (0.5\u202f\u00d7\u202f109<\/span>\/L), positive nuclear antibodies at 1\/40 tittle with a homogeneous pattern, and low C3 levels (70). Proteinuria was absent.<\/p>\n

Oxcarbazepine and metamizole were withdrawn, and treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone 60\u202fmg daily in descending regime was initiated, with complete resolution of skin lesions and hematological and immunological parameters. Subsequently, a Lymphocyte Transformation Test (LTT) with oxcarbazepine (0.2 \u2012 2 \u2013 20\u202f\u00b5g\/mL) and metamizol was conducted (Fig. 4<\/a>). The test shows proliferation of mainly CD3 and CD4, with some proliferation of CD19 and CD56 cells, with oxcarbazepine. No proliferative response was observed with metamizol.<\/p>\n

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Figure 4.<\/p>\n

Controlled lymphocyte Transformation Test (LTT) with oxcarbazepine (0.2 \u2012 2 \u2013 20\u202f\u00b5g\/mL). The test shows proliferation of mainly CD3 and CD4 drug speci\ufb01c T-cells, with some proliferation of CD19 and CD56 cells, with oxcarbazepine. The proliferation of CD56 cells suggests a cytotoxic reaction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Oxcarbazepine-induced systemic Lupus Erythematosus was therefore diagnosed.<\/p>\n

The rare coexistence of EM-SSJ-NET and LES lesions presents a diagnostic challenge when discussing a patient with both an infectious disease (EBV) and a pharmacological treatment (oxcarbazepine) history.<\/p>\n

Initially, the morphology of both EM and LES lesions could be reminiscent of Rowell Syndrome (RS), but Torchia et al., who updated the RS criteria in 2012, argued for a stricter definition, restricting its use if infectious or pharmacological triggers were present.1<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Although anti-histone antibody titration could not be performed, the normalization of complement, leukocytes, and ANA titers after drug suspension support the diagnosis of drug-induced lupus.2<\/span><\/a>\u00a0The distinction between classic SSJ-NET and lupus with SSJ-NET-like lesions relies on clinical history (latency of exposure to the suspected drug), seroimmunological criteria (ANA+), and lesion distribution (photodistribution in SLE, trunk predominance in SSJ-NET).2,3<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Anatomopathological criteria can provide additional insights, although findings in these entities often overlap.1,3<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Therefore, our patient\u2019s clinical course suggests an oxcarbazepine-induced LES with SSJ-NET-like lesions, probably precipitated by prior EBV infection.<\/p>\n

Whereas EBV infection has already resolved, it is a known immunity disruptor, which can lead to the development of certain neoplasms, autoimmune diseases, and toxicodermas.4<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Oxcarbazepine itself has been linked to several conditions, including SLE, erythema multiforme, SSJ, and NET. In this patient, the in vitro reactivity of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTL) to oxcarbazepine suggests it as the causal factor.2,5<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A wide variety of drugs have been associated with Drug-Induced LES (DIL). Procainamide, hydralazine, and quinidine typically produce classical DIL, which is more strongly associated with the production of anti-histone antibodies.6<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, other pharmacological groups have been found linked to DIL, with lower anti-histone positiveness rates such as anticonvulsants, minocycline, propylthiouracil, and statins.3,6,7<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In conclusion, while classifying patients with SSJ-NET and SLE symptoms can be challenging, its management is similar and involves the withdrawal of the triggering drug, providing supportive care, and using corticosteroids or immunosuppressants in refractory cases.<\/p>\n

Financial support<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

None declared.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Authors’ contributions<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Eduardo L\u00f3pez Vera: Contributed to the conceptualization of the case report and review; Collected and analyzed the clinical data; Conducted the literature review; and drafted the manuscript. Played a central role in coordinating the article\u2019s development and ensuring its completion.<\/p>\n

Elisabeth G\u00f3mez Moyano: Supervised all aspects of the study, including the conceptualization and study design. Provided critical revisions to the manuscript, ensuring its scientific accuracy and alignment with clinical guidelines. Offered guidance during the interpretation of clinical findings and literature synthesis. Approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.<\/p>\n

Mar\u00eda Ayala Blanca: Contributed to the review of the literature by identifying relevant references and incorporating key findings into the discussion section. Provided revisions and feedback on the clinical aspects of the manuscript, particularly related to the discussion of anatomopathological findings.<\/p>\n

Mar\u00eda Salas Cassinello: Contributed to the review of the literature by identifying relevant references and incorporating key findings into the discussion section. Provided revisions and feedback specifically on the laboratory findings within the clinical case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Eduardo L\u00f3pez Veraa, Corresponding author elopez.vera@outlook.es Corresponding author. , Elisabeth G\u00f3mez Moyanoa, Mar\u00eda Ayala Blancab, Mar\u00eda Salas Cassinelloc a\u00a0Department of Dermatology, Hospital Regional Universitario de M\u00e1laga, M\u00e1laga, Spain b\u00a0Department of … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1497,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1496"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1498,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1496\/revisions\/1498"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}