Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis simulating toxic epidermal necrolysis: case presentation and literature review

Background: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe cutaneous adverse reactions. These rare conditions differ in clinical presentation, pathological features, treatment and prognosis, but overlap has been described implying a challenging clinical management.

Case presentation: We describe a case of overlap between TEN and AGEP probably secondary to beta-lactams in a 77-year-old patient treated for a complicated cholangitis. We review the diagnosis and the management of these two conditions. The diagnosis of TEN was suggested by the initial clinical presentation with severe hemodynamic instability, skin detachment, positive Nikolsky sign and mucosal involvement. However, the skin biopsy as well as the rapid improvement of the skin lesions were discriminative for AGEP. This indicated an overlap presentation. Unfortunately, the patient refused allergy investigations in order to find the culprit drug. Medical photographs, proper physical examination and histopathological results are integrated.

Conclusion: Despite clinical features indicating a diagnosis of TEN, histopathology was conclusive for AGEP thus indicating a possible clinical-pathological overlap between the two conditions, a scarcely described situation in the medical literature. To our knowledge, this is one of the few cases that portrays a TEN-AGEP overlap probably secondary to Piperacillin Tazobactam. Understanding the immunological implications of these conditions can help us better distinguish and manage these severe reactions.