Systemic Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis in a Cocaine User without Cutaneous Findings: A Consideration in Diagnosis
Levamisole is a known immunomodulating agent frequently used as a cutting agent in cocaine consumed in the United States today. Numerous cases of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis connected with the use of levamisole-adulterated cocaine have previously been reported in the liter...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Medicine |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/547023 |
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| author | Gillian G. Baptiste Anastasia-Stefania Alexopoulos Tahsin Masud Joanna M. Bonsall |
| author_facet | Gillian G. Baptiste Anastasia-Stefania Alexopoulos Tahsin Masud Joanna M. Bonsall |
| author_sort | Gillian G. Baptiste |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Levamisole is a known immunomodulating agent frequently used as a cutting agent in cocaine consumed in the United States today. Numerous cases of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis connected with the use of levamisole-adulterated cocaine have previously been reported in the literature, classically characterized by a retiform purpuric rash. We report a case of a crack-cocaine user without cutaneous abnormalities who developed ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis that progressed to renal failure. This case demonstrates the difficulties in solidifying the diagnosis of levamisole-induced vasculitis in the absence of cutaneous findings and the need to pursue more testing to establish causality in ANCA-associated vasculitis that has potential for severe end-organ damage in patients who continue to use cocaine. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-be8af310b8b04048b59b0e415763afb9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9627 1687-9635 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-be8af310b8b04048b59b0e415763afb92025-02-03T01:21:54ZengWileyCase Reports in Medicine1687-96271687-96352015-01-01201510.1155/2015/547023547023Systemic Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis in a Cocaine User without Cutaneous Findings: A Consideration in DiagnosisGillian G. Baptiste0Anastasia-Stefania Alexopoulos1Tahsin Masud2Joanna M. Bonsall3Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30308, USADepartment of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30308, USADivision of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30308, USADivision of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30308, USALevamisole is a known immunomodulating agent frequently used as a cutting agent in cocaine consumed in the United States today. Numerous cases of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis connected with the use of levamisole-adulterated cocaine have previously been reported in the literature, classically characterized by a retiform purpuric rash. We report a case of a crack-cocaine user without cutaneous abnormalities who developed ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis that progressed to renal failure. This case demonstrates the difficulties in solidifying the diagnosis of levamisole-induced vasculitis in the absence of cutaneous findings and the need to pursue more testing to establish causality in ANCA-associated vasculitis that has potential for severe end-organ damage in patients who continue to use cocaine.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/547023 |
| spellingShingle | Gillian G. Baptiste Anastasia-Stefania Alexopoulos Tahsin Masud Joanna M. Bonsall Systemic Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis in a Cocaine User without Cutaneous Findings: A Consideration in Diagnosis Case Reports in Medicine |
| title | Systemic Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis in a Cocaine User without Cutaneous Findings: A Consideration in Diagnosis |
| title_full | Systemic Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis in a Cocaine User without Cutaneous Findings: A Consideration in Diagnosis |
| title_fullStr | Systemic Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis in a Cocaine User without Cutaneous Findings: A Consideration in Diagnosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systemic Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis in a Cocaine User without Cutaneous Findings: A Consideration in Diagnosis |
| title_short | Systemic Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis in a Cocaine User without Cutaneous Findings: A Consideration in Diagnosis |
| title_sort | systemic levamisole induced vasculitis in a cocaine user without cutaneous findings a consideration in diagnosis |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/547023 |
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