Aetiology of febrile mucocutaneous syndromes with special reference to the provocative role of infections and drugs.

The survey covers 266 patients with febrile mucocutaneous syndromes. A brief account of the highly varied clinical picture is given. The syndromes constitute an allergic reaction which in most drug-provoked cases appeared as a late immunological reaction of serum disease type; for the rest sensitization had probably often taken place. An allergic disposition could be traced in 34% of the cases. Infections and drugs were the causative factor 235 cases (88.3%). Infections accounted for 25.2% drugs for 36.1% and both together for 27.1%. An account is given of the provocative bacterial and viral infections and of the role of drugs in cases with and without infection. Among the remaining 31 cases an infection and/or drug may have been the provocative agent in 16 (6 %) whereas 15 (5.6%) may have been due to alimentary and other factors.