International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 20, Number 4 > Pp. 276-277

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Case reports

Abacavir-induced reaction with fever and severe skin rash in a patient tested human leukocyte antigen-B*5701 negative

L Calza MD , N Rosseti MD, C Biagetti MD, D Pocaterra MD, V Colangeli MD and R Manfredi MD

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, ‘Alma Mater Studiorum’ University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy

Correspondence to: Dr L Calza, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, ‘Alma Mater Studiorum’ University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via G. Massarenti 11, 40138 Bologna, Italy Email: leonardo.calza{at}unibo.it

The most serious adverse event caused by abacavir is the hypersensitivity reaction, which is usually associated with the presence of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) subtype B*5701, as shown in recent studies. We describe the case of a 41-year-old Caucasian female patient, who tested HLA-B*5701 negative and developed fever and severe skin rash 10 weeks after the start of abacavir therapy. Similar reports suggest that not all severe abacavir-induced adverse events occur as a result of classic hypersensitivity reactions, and can present also in HLA-B*5701-negative patients.

Key Words: abacavir • hypersensitivity reaction • rash • HLA-B*5701 allele

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