Slow acetylator genotypes as a possible risk factor for infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome induced by salazosulfapyridine

Br J Dermatol. 2003 May;148(5):1035-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05321.x.

Abstract

We report two patients with infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome induced by salazosulfapyridine (SASP). In both cases, high fever, skin rash, liver dysfunction and atypical lymphocytosis developed 3 weeks after initiating treatment with SASP. SASP is known to be mainly metabolized by N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), and acetylation phenotypes (rapid, intermediate and slow acetylator) correlate with NAT2* genotypes. In our two patients, we investigated NAT2* genotypes by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. We identified NAT2*6/*7 in one patient, and NAT2*6/*5 in the other, suggesting that both were slow acetylator phenotypes. In 20 healthy volunteers we found no slow acetylator genotypes. Genotyping prior to medication may be useful in evaluating patients with a high risk of severe systemic reaction to SASP.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / genetics*
  • Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Drug Eruptions / genetics*
  • Drug Eruptions / metabolism*
  • Drug Eruptions / pathology
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Sulfasalazine / adverse effects*
  • Sulfasalazine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase
  • NAT2 protein, human