Levamisole Induced Autoimmunity

Studies on Levamisole - Induced

Widespread clinical trials of leavo-tetramisole (levamisole) as an immunopotentiating agent in rheumatoid arthritis. metastatic carcinoma, and immunodeficiency states have been complicated by agranulocytosis (AGC) in 2.5%-i 3% of patients. Other than a relationship with prolonged high dosage, very little is known regarding the pathogenesis of levamisole-induced AGC. Whereas leukoagglutination w...

A role for muscarinic receptors in neutrophil extracellular trap formation and levamisole-induced autoimmunity.

Levamisole, an anthelmintic drug with cholinergic properties, has been implicated in cases of drug-induced vasculitis when added to cocaine for profit purposes. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is a cell death mechanism characterized by extrusion of chromatin decorated with granule proteins. Aberrant NET formation and degradation have been implicated in idiopathic autoimmune diseas...

Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis

Studies on levamisole--induced agranulocytosis.

Widespread clinical trials of leavo-tetramisole (levamisole) as an immunopotentiating agent in rheumatoid arthritis, metastatic carcinoma, and immunodeficiency states have been complicated by agranulocytosis (AGC) in 2.5%-13% of patients. Other than a relationship with prolonged high dosage, very little is known regarding the pathogenesis of levamisole-induced AGC. Whereas leukoagglutination wa...

Levamisole tainted cocaine induced vasculitis

Levamisole has been implicated in the vasculitis and aganulocytosis. It has been pulled from the United States market for human use. Due to its euphoric and bulking properties, it has been . used as a bulking agent in cocaine. We hereby present a case of a 56-year-old Hispanic male, who developed vasculitis due to cocaine use adulterated with levamisole.