Retiform purpura: a new stigmata of illicit drug use?

Abstract

We report a 50-year-old woman who presented with a six-month history of recurrent retiform purpura of uncertain etiology. Laboratory findings included neutropenia, positive anticardiolipin IgM antibody, and a weakly positive p-ANCA. Histopathology revealed a leukocytoclastic vasculitis with intravascular thrombi. Urine toxicology screen was positive for cocaine. These findings are similar to recent reports of agranulocytosis and purpura induced by levamisole-tainted cocaine. A review of the clinical and histopathological findings associated with levamisole-induced purpura will be discussed.