Sweet's syndrome induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: case report

Abstract

Sweet's syndrome (SS) is a neutrophilic dermatosis presenting with sudden onset of tender erythematous papules and plaques. It is a febrile disease, more commonly seen in females, 30-50 years of age. Neutrophilic leukocytosis and extensive dermal neutrophilic infiltration are prominent. Although pathogenesis is not clear, hypersensitivity reaction associated with infections, pregnancy, autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, malignancies and drugs thought to have a role. Various antibiotics, antiepileptics, retinoids, antihypertensive agents, oral contraceptives, azathiopurine and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) have been implicated as the causes of drug-related SS. We present a case with SS that occurred after the treatment of G-CSF in a patient with splenic marginal zone lymphoma.