When Autoimmunity ‘DRESSes up’: A Case after Certolizumab Therapy

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) is characterised by skin rash together with visceral organ involvement, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia and atypical lymphocytosis. The syndrome is clinically heterogeneous, making diagnosis challenging. It has an annual incidence of 2 per 100,000 population and a mortality rate of 2–10%. We describe the first case of DRESS induced by certolizumab, a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bioDMARD). LEARNING POINTS: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) is an uncommon and under-reported syndrome. Its recognition is critical for treatment, especially in the emergency setting where most patients first present. In the case of unexplained fever, lymphadenopathy, cutaneous rash and characteristic laboratory findings (e.g., eosinophilia), after infectious causes have been ruled out, clinicians should always keep DRESS in mind and consider possible recent intake of a triggering drug.