CNWL Surrey Sexual Health Service present at BASHH Annual Conference

Darshanie Mallikarachchi, Specialty doctor in Sexual health, Amy Bennett, Consultant GUM/HIV from CNWL’s Surrey Sexual Health Service and Bogusia Kasternow, Allergy Consultant, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust recently presented their research at the 2024 British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) conference.

Their presentation highlighted the cause of Symmetrical drug related intertriginous flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) following syphilis treatment.  SDRIFE is an uncommon benign self-limiting type IV hypersensitivity reaction which occurs following exposure to systemic drugs. The lack of awareness and inability to diagnose SDRIFE can prevent patients from getting the most appropriate antibiotic, particularly where the treatment options are limited.

Using a case study, the team described the management of a patient with syphilis who developed allergic reaction to both Benzathine penicillin G (BPG) and doxycycline.  This is the first published case of SDRIFE during syphilis treatment.

Find out more about the case study and their results in this poster.