HMGB1 was significantly elevated in Taiwanese patients with SJS/TEN, highest during the acute phase (32·6 ± 26·6 ng mL−1) vs. the maximal (19·7 ± 23·2 ng mL−1; P = 0·007) and recovery (24·6 ± 25·3 ng mL−1; P = 0·027) phases. This evidence concerns the gene HMGB1 and Schwartz-Jampel syndrome.