Frequency of the HLA-B*1502 allele contributing to carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity reactions in a cohort of Malaysian epilepsy patients

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2011 Sep;29(3):290-3.

Abstract

We describe the association of the HLA-B*1502 allele in 27 epilepsy patients (19 Malays, 8 Chinese) treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) at the UKM Medical Center (UKMMC), 6 with CBZ-Steven Johnson Syndrome (CBZ-SJS), 11 with CBZ-induced rash, 2 with suspected phenytoin-induced rash and 8 negative controls. Our study showed that 10 (6 Malay, 4 Chinese) patients were positive for HLA-B*1502. Out of the 10 patients, six were confirmed to have CBZ-SJS (p = 0.0006), while four patients developed a skin rash. However there were 6 Malay patients and 1 Chinese patient that developed a skin rash after CBZ administration who were not positive for the allele, indicating that there might be more that one allele associated with CBZ-induced hypersensitivity. Another 2 patients were suspected of having phenytoin-induced rash, instead of CBZ, and these patients did not have HLA-B*1502. In conclusion, this study confirmed the association of HLA-B*1502 with CBZ-SJS among Malaysian epilepsy patients, however there might be other genes that could be responsible for the CBZ-induced rash.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Asian People / genetics
  • Carbamazepine / adverse effects*
  • Carbamazepine / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Drug Eruptions / genetics*
  • Drug Eruptions / immunology*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Exanthema / chemically induced
  • Exanthema / etiology
  • Female
  • HLA-B15 Antigen / genetics*
  • HLA-B15 Antigen / immunology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / etiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • HLA-B*15:02 antigen
  • HLA-B15 Antigen
  • Carbamazepine