Levamisole-induced occlusive necrotizing vasculitis of the ears after use of cocaine contaminated with levamisole.
Based on the best available data, approximately 2.1 million Americans use illicit cocaine each month; for the last several months, 30% of that cocaine has been "cut" with a veterinary pharmaceutical, levamisole. Levamisole can cause agranulocytosis, leaving patients susceptible to fulminate and opportunistic infections and also can cause a debilitating cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis. In this manuscript, we describe a case and provide an image of levamisole-induced necrotizing vasculitis of the ears.
Buchanan
Jennie A
JA
Department of Emergency Medicine, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, 777 Bannock St. MC 0108, Denver, CO, USA. Jennie.Buchanan3@dhha.org
Vogel
Jody A
JA
Eberhardt
Aaron M
AM
D000328:Adult; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D003042:Cocaine / Q000737:chemistry*; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004431:Ear, External / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000737:chemistry*; D007978:Levamisole / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine; D019155:Veterinary Drugs / Q000633:toxicity
D000871:Anthelmintics; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D019155:Veterinary Drugs; D007978:Levamisole; D003042:Cocaine