An uncommon culprit of neutropenic fever: a case of Sweet syndrome following induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia

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Vol3Nr4Y2023
Published Nov 9, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22551/2023.41.1004.10262
Ahmed Alderazi http://orcid.org/0009-0004-5202-3826 Alec B. Rezigh http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0820-6041

Abstract

Sweet syndrome (SS) is a rare inflammatory disorder characterized by the rapid onset of a characteristically tender rash, fever, and other systemic symptoms. These manifestations are often mistaken for an infection that is not responding to antimicrobials, especially in immunocompromised hosts. We present the case of a 44-year-old woman who developed SS following induction chemotherapy for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She exhibited a painful rash on the anterior chest, which spread centrifugally, along with neutropenic fever unresponsive to broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Biopsy of the rash revealed a dense neutrophilic infiltrate within the dermis, confirming the diagnosis of SS. The patient was subsequently treated with systemic steroids with prompt resolution of fevers and improvement of her rash. This case highlights that SS can manifest with a robust neutrophilic infiltrate, even in the context of neutropenia stemming from chemotherapy. SS serves as a crucial consideration in hematologic malignancies, particularly AML, when patients present with fever and cutaneous eruptions. Prompt recognition followed by systemic steroid therapy often leads to symptom resolution.

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Keywords

Sweet syndrome, neutropenic fever, acute myeloid leukemia, chemotherapy

References
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How to Cite
Alderazi, A., & Rezigh, A. B. (2023). An uncommon culprit of neutropenic fever: a case of Sweet syndrome following induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. Archive of Clinical Cases, 10(4), Arch Clin Cases. 2023;10(4):146-149. https://doi.org/10.22551/2023.41.1004.10262
Issue
Vol. 10 No. 4 (2023)
Section
Case Reports

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How to Cite

Alderazi, A., & Rezigh, A. B. (2023). An uncommon culprit of neutropenic fever: a case of Sweet syndrome following induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. Archive of Clinical Cases, 10(4), Arch Clin Cases. 2023;10(4):146-149. https://doi.org/10.22551/2023.41.1004.10262