Levamisole-Contaminated Cocaine: An Emergent Cause of Vasculitis and Skin Necrosis
The prevalence of cocaine adulterated with levamisole-induced vasculitis is increasing and physicians should be aware of this unique entity. There have been many reports of cutaneous vasculitis syndrome caused by cocaine which is contaminated with levamisole. Levamisole was used as an antihelminth d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Medicine |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/434717 |
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| author | Osama Souied Hassan Baydoun Zahraa Ghandour Neville Mobarakai |
| author_facet | Osama Souied Hassan Baydoun Zahraa Ghandour Neville Mobarakai |
| author_sort | Osama Souied |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The prevalence of cocaine adulterated with levamisole-induced vasculitis is increasing and physicians should be aware of this unique entity. There have been many reports of cutaneous vasculitis syndrome caused by cocaine which is contaminated with levamisole. Levamisole was used as an antihelminth drug and later was rescinded from use in humans due to adverse effects. Through this paper, we will report a 39-year-old crack cocaine user who presented with purpuric rash and skin necrosis of his ear lobes. Levamisole-induced vasculitis syndrome was suspected. A urine toxicology screen was positive for cocaine, opiates, and marijuana. Blood work revealed positive titres of ANA and p-ANCA, as well as anti-cardiolipin antibody. Biopsy taken from the left ear showed focal acute inflammation, chronic inflammation with thrombus formation, and extravasated blood cells. Treatment was primarily supportive with wound care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-81e592a1d3de499780e0dbbafbc62f32 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9627 1687-9635 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-81e592a1d3de499780e0dbbafbc62f322025-02-03T01:32:54ZengWileyCase Reports in Medicine1687-96271687-96352014-01-01201410.1155/2014/434717434717Levamisole-Contaminated Cocaine: An Emergent Cause of Vasculitis and Skin NecrosisOsama Souied0Hassan Baydoun1Zahraa Ghandour2Neville Mobarakai3Department of Internal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305, USAFaculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, LebanonDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305, USAThe prevalence of cocaine adulterated with levamisole-induced vasculitis is increasing and physicians should be aware of this unique entity. There have been many reports of cutaneous vasculitis syndrome caused by cocaine which is contaminated with levamisole. Levamisole was used as an antihelminth drug and later was rescinded from use in humans due to adverse effects. Through this paper, we will report a 39-year-old crack cocaine user who presented with purpuric rash and skin necrosis of his ear lobes. Levamisole-induced vasculitis syndrome was suspected. A urine toxicology screen was positive for cocaine, opiates, and marijuana. Blood work revealed positive titres of ANA and p-ANCA, as well as anti-cardiolipin antibody. Biopsy taken from the left ear showed focal acute inflammation, chronic inflammation with thrombus formation, and extravasated blood cells. Treatment was primarily supportive with wound care.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/434717 |
| spellingShingle | Osama Souied Hassan Baydoun Zahraa Ghandour Neville Mobarakai Levamisole-Contaminated Cocaine: An Emergent Cause of Vasculitis and Skin Necrosis Case Reports in Medicine |
| title | Levamisole-Contaminated Cocaine: An Emergent Cause of Vasculitis and Skin Necrosis |
| title_full | Levamisole-Contaminated Cocaine: An Emergent Cause of Vasculitis and Skin Necrosis |
| title_fullStr | Levamisole-Contaminated Cocaine: An Emergent Cause of Vasculitis and Skin Necrosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Levamisole-Contaminated Cocaine: An Emergent Cause of Vasculitis and Skin Necrosis |
| title_short | Levamisole-Contaminated Cocaine: An Emergent Cause of Vasculitis and Skin Necrosis |
| title_sort | levamisole contaminated cocaine an emergent cause of vasculitis and skin necrosis |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/434717 |
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