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Case Reports
. 2022 Jul 20;14(7):e27073.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.27073. eCollection 2022 Jul.

Propylthiouracil-Induced Skin Vasculitis

Mariana S Almeida  1 , Carina Ramalho  1 , Francisco Gomes  1 , Maria do Rosário Ginga  1 , José Vilchez  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Propylthiouracil-Induced Skin Vasculitis

Mariana S Almeida et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

The use of propylthiouracil (PTU) is associated with the development of autoantibodies, namely, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), which are associated with the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis, most often related to the myeloperoxidase subtype (ANCA-MPO). The authors report the case of a 61-year-old woman on PTU for one year who was referred to Internal Medicine for a three-month evolution of painless non-blanching purple patches, non-pruriginous, involving the chest and legs. The autoimmunity revealed ANCA antibody positivity, with a cutaneous biopsy compatible with leukocytoclastic vasculitis/necrotizing vasculitis with involvement of small and medium-sized vessels. Clinical improvement was noted after the drug was discontinued, with the resolution of the analytical changes.

Keywords: adverse reactions; anca; antibodies; propylthiouracil; purpuric plaques; vasculitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Erythematous, non-pruritic, purpuric plaques.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Skin biopsy compatible with leukocytoclastic vasculitis/necrotizing vasculitis, a pattern that is entirely compatible with the clinical context of positive ANCA vasculitis.
ANCA: antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
Figure 3
Figure 3. Skin biopsy compatible with leukocytoclastic vasculitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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