Toxic epidermal necrolysis in a patient with autoimmune limbic encephalitis with anti-glutamate receptor antibodies

Abstract

We report on a 44-year-old woman who was diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) during the recovery phase from autoimmune limbic encephalitis with anti-glutamate receptor antibodies. Both, autoimmune limbic encephalitis and TEN are very rare diseases. The co-existence of the two diseases has not yet been reported. We speculate that the total of 18 drugs needed for the treatment of encephalitis might have increased the risk of TEN. Similar reports would be required to elucidate the pathophysiology of the co-existence.