Case report: Severe eye complications from stevens-johnson syndrome in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient in malawi

Abstract

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a severe form of erythema multiforme that primarily affects skin and mucous membranes. In Malawi, manifestations of SJS may become more common in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients receiving nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) because the CD4 cell threshold for starting ART has increased from 250 to 350 cells/mL. We describe a patient with severe ocular complications from SJS that developed soon after initiation of nevirapine-based ART and cotrimoxazole preventive treatment, which led to blindness. We draw attention to preventive measures that can potentially reduce permanent ocular damage from SJS.© 2013 by The American Society of Tropical.