Baboon syndrome. Symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema

Introduction. Baboon syndrome is a rare skin disorder which was first described by Andersen et al. in 1964. It is characterized by the development of erythematous lesions localized on buttocks, skin folds and flexural surfaces and it is caused by parenteral allergen intake.

Objective. To present a case of baboon syndrome – symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema.

Case report. We present a case of a 71-year-old patient with erythematous lesions in the intertriginous areas. He was treated for 11 weeks with antifungal and glucocorticosteroid agents with no clinical improvement. The patient’s medical history revealed that occurrence of lesions coincided with the onset of terazosin intake due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. On the basis of anamnesis and clinical picture, the diagnosis of symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) was established. Skin lesions disappeared with a few days after terazosin discontinuation, which confirmed the initial diagnosis.

Conclusions. Inflammed lesions localized on intertriginous areas may, among other well known factors, be caused by drug-induced reaction.