Case Report

Dapsone Therapy Causing Sulfone Syndrome and Lethal Hepatic Failure in an HIV-Infected Patient

Authors: PRASAD CHALASANI MD, HENRY BAFFOE-BONNIE MD, RAFAEL L. JURADO MD

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A 34-year-old woman with HIV infection and no other opportunistic infections presented a classic sulfone syndrome, manifested by fever, rash, hemolytic anemia, and fulminant hepatitis due to dapsone hypersensitive reaction, with a fatal outcome. We believe this is the first reported fatal complication of dapsone in an HIV-infected patient. We to bring attention to this potentially fatal drug complication, which may become more common with widespread use of dapsone in HIV-infected patients. The package insert for dapsone recommends laboratory surveillance (hematologic and liver-related tests) during the first 4 to 6 weeks of therapy, and every 3 to 4 months thereafter. Our case report suggests that closer follow-up of patients receiving dapsone might be indicated.

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References