Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Cytokine Profile in a Patient with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Triggered by Lamotrigine and COVID-19: A Case Study

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe mucocutaneous reaction often induced by medications. The co-occurrence of SJS/TEN and COVID-19 presents a unique challenge due to overlapping inflammatory pathways. This case study examined the cytokine profile of a patient with both TEN (triggered by lamotrigine) and COVID-19. The clinical history of the patient, including lamotrigine exposure and COVID-19 diagnosis, was documented. A 13-cytokine profile assessment was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the patient and their parents by using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). A 6-year-old male patient developed lamotrigine-induced TEN with concomitant COVID-19 affecting 90% of the body surface area. Compared with their parents, who were positive for COVID-19, <i>IL-6</i>, <i>IL-4</i>, and <i>IL-12</i> were modulated (downregulated) by TEN. The cytokine profile showed elevated levels of <i>IL-1α</i>, <i>IL-1β</i>, <i>IL-5</i>, <i>IL-8</i>, <i>NF-κβ</i>, and interferons (<i>IFN</i>; α, β, and γ), indicating a robust antiviral response. The immune profile suggested a hyperactivated immune state that contributed to the severity of the patient's clinical manifestations, leading to death 18 days after hospitalization. Understanding the immune response is important for developing future targeted therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the interaction between drug-induced SJS/TEN and infections.