Adverse cutaneous drug reactions to ibandronate.

Bisphosphonates are frequently used to treat bone diseases characterized by increased osteoclastic bone resorption. Adverse skin reactions to bisphosphonates are rare and range from benign to severe. Different cutaneous skin reactions have been reported with ibandronate in clinical and pharmacovigilance studies, from macula-papular rashes to toxic epidermal necrolysis. We report two new cases of erythematous and oedematous skin lesions to oral monthly ibandronate, appearing after multiple intakes of the drug. Prick tests were positive in both cases at 48 or 96 hours, and one could be confirmed histologically. Lesions did not relapse after substituting the culprit bisphosphonate with another one. A wide range of rare-to-very-rare adverse skin reactions exist with bisphosphonates, and especially ibandronate. We review the reported cases of adverse cutaneous drug reactions to bisphosphonates and illustrate the polymorphism and variety of the skin lesions. These reactions are not well known and may be misdiagnosed as they do not always suggest drug-induced eruptions. Furthermore, delays between drug intake and the first lesions can be misleading. The absence of cross-reactions among bisphosphonates allows substitution.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) after intravenous immunoglobulins: French multicentre study and literature review.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), defined as the onset of acute respiratory distress after blood transfusion, is a rare complication which is a leading cause of transfusion related-mortality. In this retrospective study, we report the French nationwide experience of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-related TRALI, with a literature review and analysis of management and outcome of this rare condition. With the pharmacovigilance services, we conducted a retrospective multicenter study in the French network of intensive care units with TRALI concomitant to IVIG use and pooled with data from a literature review. Overall, 17 cases have been included in this case-series, our case report, seven personal cases and nine cases from the literature review. The median age was 55 years [2-79] with 10/17 (59%) male subjects. The underlying diseases motivating IVIG infusion were neurologic diseases in 35% of cases (Guillain Barre syndrome = 2, peripheral neuropathy = 2, neurolupus = 1, myasthenia = 1), multiple myeloma with hypogammaglobulinemia (n = 2; 12%), primary hypogammaglobulinemia (n = 2; 12%), autoimmune cytopenias (n = 2; 12%), graft versus host cutaneous disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukaemia (n = 1), anti-HLA antibodies after lung transplant (n = 1), cancer-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-haemolytic uremic syndrome (n = 1), Kawasaki disease (n = 1) and in experimental essay (n = 1). TRALI symptoms begin either after the start or during the infusion (n = 7; 41%), or after the infusion (n = 10; 59%, 10 min to 24 h). Besides respiratory distress, it was also noted shock (33%), fever (18 %), cough (18%), nausea/vomiting (18 %), chills (12%) and agitation (12%). The X-ray showed mainly bilateral alveolar opacities (n = 15; 88%). Mechanical ventilation was needed in nine cases (53%), with median 1-day duration [1-4]. Four patients (24%) died during hospitalisation in the intensive care unit. Given the increasing use of intravenous immunoglobulins, TRALI must now be discussed in cases of respiratory distress occurring during or immediately following the infusion even if this side effect remains rare.Key Points• TRALI must now be discussed in cases of respiratory distress occurring during or immediately following an infusion of intravenous immunoglobulins.