Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome by liposomal amphotericin-B: a case report

BACKGROUND: Liposomal amphotericin-B (Ambisome(®)) is widely used antifungal drug for treatments of invasive fungal infections. The use of liposomal amphotericin-B is increasing in medical setting because of its tolerability and potent antifungal activity. CASE PRESENTATION: In a case of a 76 year-old Japanese female was admitted with subarachnoid hemorrhage, the ethnicity of the patient is Asian, we experienced that liposomal amphotericin-B was the culprit drug for Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, also known as drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms in view of a clear temporal relationship between liposomal amphotericin-B administration and the onset of symptoms, the remission of the symptomatological pattern after liposomal amphotericin-B withdrawal. CONCLUSION: The present case report shows that prolonged liposomal amphotericin-B treatment can be associated with drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. We recommend careful monitoring of neutrophil counts in a prolonged treatment course with liposomal amphotericin-B.