Cutaneous adverse drug reactions to lamotrigine and human leukocyte antigen typing in North Indian patients: A case series

Cutaneous adverse drug reaction (cADR) has limited epidemiological data in India. The older antiepileptic drugs, i.e., carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid, phenobarbitone, etc., induce severe cADRs that have a strong associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-related genetic risk factors. There is also evidence of association of certain HLA alleles with lamotrigine (LTG)-induced cADRs, but this has not been reported in the Indian population. Here, we report case series of three patients with LTG-induced “Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).” Their HLA-B typing was also performed which showed the presence of HLA-B*15:02 in one case with SJS

Autoimmune encephalitis: A potentially reversible cause of status epilepticus, epilepsy, and cognitive decline

Objectives: To review clinical characteristics and response to immunomodulation therapy in autoimmune encephalitis presenting with status epilepticus (SE), epilepsy, and cognitive decline. Design: Observational, prospective case series. Setting: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Materials and Methods: Prospective analysis of 15 patients, who presented with SE, epilepsy, cognitive decline, and other neurological symptoms with positive autoantibodies. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal-fluid analysis (CSF), and tumor screening were done periodically. Treatment received and responses (categorized as per patients and treating doctor′s information) were noted. Results: There were 15 (males = 10) patients of autoimmune encephalitis. The mean age of presentation was 24 years (range: 2-64 years). The most common onset was subacute (64%) and four (29%) patients presented as SE. Predominant clinical presentations were seizures (100%) almost of every semiology. CSF was done in 10 patients; it was normal in 60%. Brain MRI was done in all patients, in six (40%) it was normal, six (40%) showed T2W and FLAIR hyperintensities in bilateral limbic areas. Antibodies found were the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody in seven (50%), voltage-gated potassium channel antibody in five (36%), two of antiglutamic acid decarboxylase, and one patient with double stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies. None showed evidence of malignancy. Patients received immunotherapy, either steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, or both. Follow-up showed significant improvement in majority of cases, neither further seizures nor relapse in nine (67%) cases. One death occurred, due to delayed presentation. Conclusions: Uncommon but potentially reversible causes of SE, epilepsy, and cognitive decline may be immune-related and high index of suspicion will prevent missing the diagnosis