Non-leprosy related dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome: A case report and literature review

Rationale: Dapsone is used for treating infectious and immunological disorders, but it may cause dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS), a serious concern for medical staff. However, in non-leprotic patients, the manifestations of DHS can be atypical and various, leading to diagnostic challenges and potential delays in treatment initiation, which requires attention.

Patient concerns: A 17-year-old Chinese male developed DHS after 3-week dapsone treatment for vasculitis, showing the risk of dapsone use in young patients.

Diagnosis: DHS symptoms include fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy, which can be life-threatening. Diagnosis for this patient was based on symptom recognition, medical history review, physical examination, and the link between dapsone intake and symptom onset.

Interventions: Once diagnosed, dapsone was withdrawn immediately. Corticosteroids were given to reduce inflammation, and antipyretics and anti-histamines were used for symptom relief.

Outcomes: After treatment, the patient improved. Fever subsided quickly, the rash resolved in a week, and lymphadenopathy shrank. Follow-up showed full recovery with no symptom recurrence.

Lessons: This report details a case and reviews published cases of DHS. Summarizing their features aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and management strategies, thus helping healthcare providers handle similar cases better.