DEMONSTRATION OF BASAL CELL IMMUNOFLUORKSCENCE IN DRUG-INDUCED TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS

Abstract

Summary.— In 2 patients with toxic epidermal necrolysls due to penicillin and chlorpromazlne respectively, direct immunofluorescent studies revealed intercellular fixation of immunoglobulins and complement globulins confined to the basal cell Kiyer of the epidermis. These findings suggest that the drug binds to intercellular epidermal protein and that the basal cells are the target site of cellular damage in drug-induced epidermal necrolysls.