Cytarabine (ara-C, cytosine arabinoside) is a chemotherapeutic agent which can cause a number of clinical findings after an infusion termed the Cytarabine Syndrome.
Clinical features may include:
(1) fever
(2) malaise
(3) abdominal pain
(4) myalgia
(5) maculopapular skin rash
(6) bone pain
(7) conjunctivitis
(8) pericarditis
In more severe cases the patient may develop the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or acute respiratory failure.
Laboratory findings:
(1) early increase in serum TNF-alpha
(2) elevation of serum IL-6 and interferon-gamma during the fever peak
(3) elevated C-reactive protein
(4) negative cultures
This is now believed to be a type of cytokine release syndrome.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
