red man syndrome


Haematology A term referring to the skin changes of Sézary syndrome, which is characterised by generalised erythroderma, and may be accompanied by typical plaques or tumour nodules
Infectious disease A centripetal maculopapular erythema of abrupt onset accompanied by hypotension that may occur after rapid IV infusion of vancomycin for gram-negative septicemia in neutropenic patients, resulting in histamine release, flushing or cardiac arrest; the rash may involve the head and neck—‘red neck’ syndrome—or large areas of the body, and affect women—‘red person’ syndrome—and resolves spontaneously in minutes to hours
Toxicology The term ‘Red man syndrome’ has also been applied to rifampin overdose. Because rifampin causes an orange discolouration, Orange person syndrome may be preferable

red man syndrome

Hematology L'homme rouge A term referring to the skin changes of Sézary syndrome, characterized by generalized erythroderma, and may be accompanied by typical plaques or tumor nodules Infectious disease A centripetal maculopapular erythema of abrupt onset accompanied by hypotension that may occur after rapid IV infusion of vancomycin for gram-negative septicemia in neutropenic Pts, resulting in histamine release, flushing or cardiac arrest; the rash may involve the head and neck–'red neck' syndrome or large areas of the body, and affect ♀–'red person' syndrome and resolves spontaneously in mins to hrs. Cf Red skin.

red neck syn·drome

(RNS) (red nek sin'drōm) A hypersensitivity allergic reaction most often seen when the antimicrobial, vancomycin, is adminstered too rapidly; thought to be a nonimmune related release of histamine, because histamine plasma concentrations increase after administration of vancomycin; characterized by a complex of symptoms including: pruritus, urticaria, erythema, angioedema, tachycardia, hypotension, occasional muscle aches, and a maculopapular rash that usually appears on the face, neck, and upper torso.
Synonym(s): red man syndrome.