Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome to Hemodialysis Polysulfone Membrane

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe and potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction. Although commonly associated with specific drugs, there have been no reports of DRESS syndrome caused by medical devices. We report a unique case of DRESS syndrome linked to a particular hemodialysis membrane during treatment. An 83-year-old man on hemodialysis exhibited fever, rash, and elevated eosinophils. Despite medication changes and consultations with specialists, his condition persisted. A drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test revealed a positive response to the dialysis membrane. His symptoms and lab results met DRESS syndrome diagnostic criteria. After substituting the membrane and administering glucocorticoids, the patient displayed early improvement. Diagnosing DRESS syndrome is complex due to its varied presentation and lack of specific benchmarks. This instance underscores the need to consider medical devices as potential DRESS syndrome triggers. Enhanced physician awareness can facilitate prompt detection and proper management, ultimately refining patient outcomes.