Minocycline-induced hypersensitivity syndrome presenting with meningitis and brain edema: a case report

Nicolas Lefebvre¹ , Emmanuel Forestier¹ , David Farhi² , Mohseni Zadeh Mahsa¹ , Véronique Remy¹ , Olivier Lesens¹ , Daniel Christmann¹ and Yves Hansmann¹

¹Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical medicine, Teaching Hospital, Strasbourg, France

²Department of Dermatology, Tarnier Hospital, Paris, France

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2007, 1:22doi:10.1186/1752-1947-1-22


Published:	18 May 2007

Abstract

Background

Hypersentivity Syndrome (HS) may be a life-threatening condition. It frequently presents with fever, rash, eosinophilia and systemic manifestations. Mortality can be as high as 10% and is primarily due to hepatic failure. We describe what we believe to be the first case of minocycline-induced HS with accompanying lymphocytic meningitis and cerebral edema reported in the literature.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old HIV-positive female of African origin presented with acute fever, lymphocytic meningitis, brain edema, rash, eosinophilia, and cytolytic hepatitis. She had been started on minocycline for inflammatory acne 21 days prior to the onset of symptoms. HS was diagnosed clinically and after exclusion of infectious causes. Minocycline was withdrawn and steroids were administered from the second day after presentation because of the severity of the symptoms. All signs resolved by the seventh day and steroids were tailed off over a period of 8 months.

Conclusion

Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for serious adverse reactions to minocycline including lymphocytic meningitis and cerebral edema among HIV-positive patients, especially if they are of African origin. Safer alternatives should be considered for treatment of acne vulgaris. Early recognition of the symptoms and prompt withdrawal of the drug are important to improve the outcome.