Two cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by abacavir

Abacavir is a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor that is used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Drug hypersensitivity has been reported in up to 8% of patients. Reactions include severe respiratory and gastrointestinal hypersensitivity, fever, malaise, and rash. Patch testing has been shown to be helpful in confirming hypersensitivity. Abacavir allergy is strongly associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B*5701. Screening for HLA‐B*5701 in HIV patients prior to the start of abacavir treatment has significantly reduced the number of cases of hypersensitivity. However, occupational hypersensitivity to abacavir has not yet been reported.