Premium
Interferon‐γ (INF‐γ) release test can detect cutaneous adverse effects to statins
Author(s) -
Goldberg Ilan,
Isman Gila,
Shirazi Idit,
Brenner Sarah
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03896.x
Subject(s) - medicine , discontinuation , drug , statin , adverse effect , drug reaction , adverse drug reaction , pharmacology , gastroenterology
Background An increasing number of cutaneous adverse effects are being reported as use of statins becomes more widespread. A study was undertaken to establish the relationship between statin and a cutaneous reaction by the in vitro interferon‐γ (INF‐γ) release test. Methods The lymphocytes of 20 patients with suspected drug‐induced skin reaction were incubated with and without the drug. The level of INF‐γ from the supernatant was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the increase calculated. Results Response was positive in 27 (21.43%) of the 126 drugs. Statin was the only drug with a positive response in 80% of those cases. Nine of 20 patients (45.0%) had complete resolution after discontinuation of the drug; 6 (30.0%) who replaced one drug by another statin had partial or no resolution; and 5 (20.0%) had no resolution despite cessation of statins of all kinds. Conclusion A positive INF‐γ release test was found in patients who developed skin reactions while taking statins; the test’s reliability was strengthened by prompt improvement following elimination of the suspected drug in the majority of patients.