Developer site: The content shown here is test data.

MyEClinic
MyEClinic
Health Dictionary AI Health Chat Find an Online Doctor
A serene Zen garden with raked sand and smooth stones, symbolising clarity and calm

Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

Back to skin conditions

DRESS syndrome other diagnostic studies

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Other diagnostic studies for DRESS syndrome include elevated anti-HHV-6 IgG antibody, positive lymphocyte activation test, patch testing, and rechallenging of the suspected drug.

Other Diagnostic Studies

Other Diagnostic Studies

Anti-HHV-6 Antibody

  • Herpes virus reactivation is common among patients with DRESS syndrome and may occur in approximately 80% of cases.[1]
  • Elevated anti-HHV-6 IgG antibody is thought to be a useful diagnostic test when DRESS syndrome is suspected.[1]

Skin Biopsy

  • Skin biopsy may be helpful in the diagnosis, but there is no characteristic finding on skin biopsy that is associated with DRESS syndrome. To view all possible findings on skin biopsy, click here.

Lymphocyte Activation Test

  • The lymphocyte activation test is characterized by a low sensitivity and low specificity for DRESS syndrome.[2]
  • The test may be falsely negative during the acute phase of DRESS syndrome.[2]

Patch Testing

  • The diagnostic efficacy of patch testing is still controversial.
  • Patch testing has yielded variable results and is presumed to be effective only when the suspected triggering agent is an anticonvulsant.[3] The efficacy of patch testing requires further validation.

Rechallenge Suspected Drug

  • The approach has been used in other drug eruptions, but it has not been validated as a diagnostic strategy for DRESS syndrome given the potential life-threatening complications of the disease.[4]
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cacoub P, Musette P, Descamps V, Meyer O, Speirs C, Finzi L; et al. (2011). “The DRESS syndrome: a literature review”. Am J Med. 124 (7): 588–97. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2011.01.017. PMID 21592453.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kano Y, Hirahara K, Mitsuyama Y, Takahashi R, Shiohara T (2007). “Utility of the lymphocyte transformation test in the diagnosis of drug sensitivity: dependence on its timing and the type of drug eruption”. Allergy. 62 (12): 1439–44. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01553.x. PMID 17983378.
  3. ↑ Santiago F, Gonçalo M, Vieira R, Coelho S, Figueiredo A (2010). “Epicutaneous patch testing in drug hypersensitivity syndrome (DRESS)”. Contact Dermatitis. 62 (1): 47–53. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2009.01659.x. PMID 20136879.
  4. ↑ Choudhary S, McLeod M, Torchia D, Romanelli P (2013). “Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome”. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 6 (6): 31–7. PMC 3718748. PMID 23882307.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D., Serge Korjian M.D.