Disseminated autoimmune disease during levamisole treatment of nephrotic syndrome

Abstract 

Side effects such as cutaneous vasculitis, which occur during prolonged levamisole treatment, may discourage the utilization of the drug in relapsing nephrotic syndrome. We describe a child who developed disseminated vasculitis during prolonged treatment with levamisole. The acute phase was characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, hemolytic anemia, IgM anticardiolipin and p-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. One month after withdrawal of therapy all symptoms had disappeared and tests normalized. This case report, together with other reports on cutaneous vasculitis, suggest caution and close monitoring during prolonged levamisole therapy.