Pharmacogenomics predictors of aromatic antiepileptic drugs-induced SCARs in the Iraqi patients

INTRODUCTION: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) are life-threatening and often linked to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Common types of SCARs include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Immune-mediated mechanisms involving human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this reaction. This study examines the association between specific HLA alleles (HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1) and AED-induced SCARs in the Iraqi population.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 50 patients diagnosed with SCARs and 90 tolerant controls were recruited from Dr. Saad Al-Wattari Hospital for Neurological Sciences and Baghdad Hospital - Medical City. HLA genotyping was performed using PCR-SSO method from peripheral blood samples. Statistical comparisons were made using the t-test or chi-square test, while univariate logistic regression with Bonferroni's correction (p