Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) associated with levamisole-adulterated cocaine: Clinical, serologic, and histopathologic findings in a cohort of patients.

Background: Recently, isolated reports of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) secondary to levamisole-contaminated cocaine have been described, with similar serologic findings to the vasculopathic presentation.Objective: We sought to describe clinical, histopathological, and serologic findings in 8 patients w...

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Published in:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 74; no. 5; pp. 892 - 899
Main Authors: Jeong, Haneol S., Layher, Heather, Cao, Lauren, Vandergriff, Travis, Dominguez, Arturo R.
Format: research Journal Article
Published: Elsevier B.V. May2016
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: May2016
      vid: 74
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      pub: Elsevier B.V.
      place: New York, New York
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        atl: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) associated with levamisole-adulterated cocaine: Clinical, serologic, and histopathologic findings in a cohort of patients.
      aug:
        au:
          Jeong, Haneol S.
          Layher, Heather
          Cao, Lauren
          Vandergriff, Travis
          Dominguez, Arturo R.
        affil: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
      sug:
        subj:
          Cocaine Adverse Effects
          Pyoderma Gangrenosum Pathology
          Pyoderma Gangrenosum Chemically Induced
          Drug Contamination
          Imidazoles Adverse Effects
          Pyoderma Gangrenosum Drug Therapy
          Prognosis
          Treatment Outcomes
          Risk Assessment
          Adrenal Cortex Hormones Therapeutic Use
          Severity of Illness Indices
          Adult
          Biopsy, Needle
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Female
          Immunohistochemistry
          Retrospective Design
          Male
          Prospective Studies
          Human
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Female
          Male
      ab: Background: Recently, isolated reports of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) secondary to levamisole-contaminated cocaine have been described, with similar serologic findings to the vasculopathic presentation.Objective: We sought to describe clinical, histopathological, and serologic findings in 8 patients with PG associated with levamisole-contaminated cocaine.Methods: Eight consecutive patients presenting with this disease spanning the period from 2011 to 2015 were included for the cohort. Observed variables included: lesion distribution, morphology, serologic titers, and histopathologic evaluation for vasculitis and vasculopathy.Results: All patients reported cocaine exposure prior to the onset of lesions resembling PG. Lesions appeared primarily on the upper (6 of 8 patients) and lower (all 8 patients) extremities. Most patients demonstrated elevated titers for p-ANCA and antiphospholipid antibodies, and a diffuse dermal infiltrate dominated by neutrophils was seen in all biopsy specimens. Lesions improved or remained stable with conservative management or short courses of steroids, and recurrence was only noted on re-exposure to adulterated cocaine.Limitations: The study is limited by sample size.Conclusions: PG may occur after exposure to levamisole-adulterated cocaine. Clinical and histopathological findings resemble those seen in conventional forms of PG, whereas serologic findings mirror those seen in other levamisole-associated vasculopathic or vasculitic eruptions. Cocaine avoidance represents a cornerstone of management in these patients.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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