[Erythema multiforme caused by saquinavir].

BACKGROUND

Saquinavir is a protease inhibitor used for the treatment of HIV infection. Adverse skin reactions have been rare. We report here the first case of erythema multiforme in a patient given saquinavir.

CASE REPORT

A 32-year-old man was seropositive for HIV and consulted due to the development of round maculo-papular lesions centered on a bulla and two erosive lesions of the palate five days after the introduction of saquinavir. Histology was compatible with erythema multiforme. After withdrawal of saquinavir, the skin and mucosal lesions regressed in 15 days, with no recurrence at 3 months.

DISCUSSION

Adverse skin reactions to saquinavir are exceptional (eruptions, pruritus). We describe here the first case of erythema multiforme caused by saquinavir (imputability criteria 12 BO). Due to the structural analogy of saquinavir with other protease inhibitors (indiravir, ritonavir, nelfinavir) it would be difficult to prescribe a compound of the same class.