COKE LIVe: recurrent vasculitis secondary to cocaine contaminated with levamisole

COKE LIVe: recurrent vasculitis secondary to cocaine contaminated with levamisole

Levamisole-induced vasculitis (LIV) is becoming an increasingly common entity secondary to both rising cocaine use in the UK and high levels of adulteration of cocaine with various contaminants. We report the first documented case of LIV secondary to adulterated cocaine in Ireland, which presented as a 6-year history of recurrent vasculitis of unknown aetiology. Classically, LIV is diagnosed by a combination of positive ANCA serology and agranulocytosis however, given the frequency of cocaine use, we urge acute physicians to consider the diagnosis in cases of typical retiform (angulated) purpura in association with a history of cocaine use.

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COKE LIVe: recurrent vasculitis secondary to cocaine contaminated with levamisole

17th January 2017
PMID: 28112289
Authors Affiliations
Vicki Sandys BA MB Bch BAO, MRCPI
Shanti Mahabir BSc, MB ChB, BAO, MRCPI
Declan Byrne BSc Human Nutrition, MB Bch BAO, MRCPI, Dist Pharmaceutical Medicine, MSc Pharmaceutical Science
Bairbre Wynne MB BCh BAO LRCP&SI MRCPI

COKE LIVe: recurrent vasculitis secondary to cocaine contaminated with levamisole

Cite this article as:

Sandys V, Mahabir S, Byrne D, Wynne B. COKE LIVe: recurrent vasculitis secondary to cocaine contaminated with levamisole. Acute Med. 2016;15(4):206-208. PMID: 28112289.

COKE LIVe: recurrent vasculitis secondary to cocaine contaminated with levamisole

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