Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/ toxic epidermal necrolysis: description of a case

Key words: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are 2 rare (1-2 cases per million population per year) but life-threatening mucocutaneous reactions characterized by detachment of epidermis, acute skin blisters, and mucous membrane erosions. Both SJS and TEN represent a spectrum of a single disease process. Several drugs are highly suspected to cause SJS/TEN. Non-medication factors have also been reported to increase the risk of SJS/TEN: many viruses or bacteria can be trigger agents; many authors have documented that the majority of cases are related to Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). The article reports the case of a boy hospitalized for SJS/TEN-overlap triggered by MP pneumonia, which supports the evidence by other Authors that both SJS and TEN can be considered infection driven disorders. Documented cases of recurring SJS/TEN during re-infection with MP have not been found in current literature. So, this option should be included when treating children with MP infection.