Absence of HLA-B∗1502 and HLA-A∗3101 alleles in 9 Korean patients with antiepileptic drug-induced skin rash: A preliminary study

There have been a number of studies about correlations between HLA genotypes in various ethnic groups and occurrence of various cutaneous adverse drug reactions, ranging in intensity from mild to severe, caused by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). This is the first report analyzing the HLA genotypes of 9 Korean patients with skin rashes induced by various AEDs. The AEDs that induced skin rash were lamotrigine (n=3), carbamazepine (n=3), oxcarbazepine (n=1), phenobarbital (n=1), and phenytoin (n=1). None of the patients' HLA genotypes was either HLA-B∗1502 or HLA-A∗3101. Based on these series of cases, AED-induced skin rash can occur independently of HLA-B∗1502 or HLA-A∗3101 genotypes in the Korean patients.