Abstract
Levamisole exposure in cocaine users is a well-recognized cause of retiform purpura, a distinctive net-like maculopapular patch. Prolonged exposure to levamisole can lead to a serious systemic syndrome known as levamisole-induced vasculitis, most commonly involving the kidneys and lungs. More recently, retiform purpura has been observed in patients with the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Due to their overlapping dermatologic and systemic manifestations, levamisole-induced and COVID-19-induced retiform purpura may mimic one another in clinical presentation. The possibility that patients may present with one or both syndromes creates a diagnostic challenge. This review of levamisole-induced and COVID-19-induced retiform purpura highlights their corresponding and distinctive features. Additionally, we propose a unique staging system for levamisole-induced retiform purpura that may be valid for future classification of COVID-19-induced retiform purpura.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 265-273 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Archives of Dermatological Research |
| Volume | 315 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2023 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology
Keywords
- COVID-19
- Cocaine
- Drug abuse
- Levamisole
- Neutrophils
- Retiform purpura
- Vasculitis