Before starting allopurinol in a patient of Han Chinese descent with newly diagnosed gout, current guidelines recommend testing for which marker to predict severe cutaneous adverse reactions?
- A HLA-B*58:01 ✓
- B HLA-B*57:01
- C HLA-B*15:02
- D TPMT enzyme activity
Correct answer: A. HLA-B*58:01
Explanation
Allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome, comprising Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, is strongly associated with HLA-B*58:01 in Han Chinese, Thai, Korean and other Asian populations, and testing is advised before initiation where prevalence is high. The distractors belong to other drugs: HLA-B*15:02 predicts carbamazepine-induced SJS, HLA-B*57:01 predicts abacavir hypersensitivity, and TPMT guides azathioprine dosing.
Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.