Levofloxacin – Induced Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: Report of a Case in a Diabetic Man and Review of the Litterature

Sahar El Aoud¹, Nadia Charfi¹, Nessrine Cheikhrouhou¹, Mariam Kesentini², Mouna Elleuch^1, , Tahia Boudawara² and Mohamed Abid¹

¹Department of Endocrinology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia

²Department of Anatomo Pathology, Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia

Cite this paper:
Sahar El Aoud, Nadia Charfi, Nessrine Cheikhrouhou, Mariam Kesentini, Mouna Elleuch, Tahia Boudawara and Mohamed Abid. Levofloxacin – Induced Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: Report of a Case in a Diabetic Man and Review of the Litterature. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2015; 3(4):84-87. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-3-4-3

Abstract

Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis comprises a wide spectrum of etiologies including medications. Fluoroquinolones are rarely implicated in this disease. We report the case of a diabetic man who was referred to our hospital for purpuric rash and hyperglycemia. The cutaneous lesions appeared 3 days after the begining of levofloxacin which was prescribed for a respiratory infection. Physical examination and laboratory evaluation findings ruled out renal, neurological, respiratory and gastrointestinal involvement. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Autoimmune investigations and infectious serologies were negative. Levofloxacin therapy was the most probable etiology. The patient was successfully treated by withdrawal of the offending antibiotic associated with topical steroids.

Keywords:
fluoroquinolones cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis levofloxacin purpura

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