Australasian Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

About this registry

In this international prospective registry, we plan to determine how to best manage, diagnose, and prevent severe adverse drug reactions. This will be done by examining genetic predictors, common causes, clinical presentations, treatment, and long-term outcomes of people with these reactions.

Genetic factors have been implicated in allergic diseases like eczema and drug induced allergies, called hypersensitivity or drug hypersensitivity reactions (HSR). Drug HSR may be mild or severe and include symptoms like rash or fever and affect blood cells, the liver and respiratory systems. However, the underlying causes of susceptibility to substances or allergens and reactions to them are not well understood.

Using genetic tests to determine who is susceptible to allergens may prevent the administration of potentially harmful substances and improve clinical outcomes for people who could be affected by allergic drug reactions. The ability to examine DNA, skin, blister fluid and blood samples allows researchers to understand what parts of the immune system cause these reactions and could offer potential targets for treatments in the future.

This research is being led by researchers at Austin Health, with the collaboration of researchers at various institutions, including the Alfred, around Australia and in New Zealand. There are no pharmaceutical or commercial sponsorships.

To find out more

Contact the Alfred Dermatology Trials team | E: dermtrials@alfred.org.au | T: 03 9076 8592