
doi: 10.1345/aph.1l215
pmid: 18628445
ObjectiveTo report a case of famciclovir-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV).Case Summary:A 67-year-old white female presented to the hospital for evaluation of large, bilateral palpable purpura; coalescing ulcers with centra! eschars; and small, red violaceous papules on her legs and groin. Approximately 2 months prior to this hospitalization, the woman was diagnosed with shingles of her left T1–T2 nerve distribution and was treated with famciclovir 500 mg 3 times daily, which was her first exposure to this medication. Her shingles resolved; however, on day 4 of treatment, she began to notice red spots on both of her legs that began to progressively blister and increase in size. She discontinued famciclovir at that time. The rash persisted and spread to her abdomen, groin, legs, feet, and toes. She underwent punch biopsy that revealed LCV. Workup was negative for antinuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, hepatitis B and C virus, peri nuclear-staining antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, cytoplasmic-staining antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens, proteinase 3, and myeloperoxidase. The patient improved with daily oral steroids and local wound care.Discussion:LCV has been reported only once before in the English literature as of January 2008. The most common cause of LCV is medication use, but it is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is hypothesized that drugs act as haptens, which cause an immune response. An objective causality assessment using the Naranjo probability scale suggested that famciclovir was the probable cause of LCV in this patient.Conclusions:Healthcare professionals should be aware of the possible development of famciclovir-induced LCV.
Famciclovir, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Humans, Prednisone, Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous, Female, 2-Aminopurine, Antiviral Agents, Herpes Zoster, Aged
Famciclovir, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Humans, Prednisone, Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous, Female, 2-Aminopurine, Antiviral Agents, Herpes Zoster, Aged
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 7 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
