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The gamma interferon release test can detect cutaneous adverse reactions to statins

A study was conducted to ascertain the relationship between the in vitro gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) release test and cutaneous reactions to statins. Lymphocytes from 20 patients with suspected drug-induced cutaneous reactions were incubated with or without the drugs. IFN-gamma levels from the supernatant were measured and the increase calculated. The response was positive in 27/126 drugs, and statins were the only drug class positive in 80% of these cases. Nine out of 20 patients (45%) had complete resolution after drug cessation. Partial or no resolution was seen in 30% who replaced one statin with another and 20% had no resolution despite cessation of all statins. The IFN-gamma release test, although not ...