Which pharmacogenomic marker is associated with allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome, a severe reaction comprising Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and DRESS?
- A HLA-B*57:01
- B HLA-B*58:01 ✓
- C HLA-B*15:02 exclusive to carbamazepine exposure
- D TPMT deficiency
Correct answer: B. HLA-B*58:01
Explanation
HLA-C*58:01 is strongly associated with allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome, and the association is particularly strong in Han Chinese, Thai and Korean populations, where testing before starting allopurinol is recommended. HLA-C*57:01 predicts abacavir hypersensitivity and HLA-C*15:02 carbamazepine-induced SJS, so those options are correct markers for the wrong drugs. TPMT relates to thiopurine myelosuppression, not cutaneous reactions.
Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.