Nigerian Medical Journal

LETTER TO EDITOR
Year
: 2013  |  Volume : 54  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 286--287

Leucocytoclastic vasculitis: A complication after streptokinase therapy for acute myocardial infarction


Manisha Makkar, Neha Garg, Nek Chand Mahajan 
 Department of Pathology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medicial Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala, India

Correspondence Address:
Manisha Makkar
H. No. 231, Sector 4, Panchkula
India




How to cite this article:
Makkar M, Garg N, Mahajan NC. Leucocytoclastic vasculitis: A complication after streptokinase therapy for acute myocardial infarction.Niger Med J 2013;54:286-287


How to cite this URL:
Makkar M, Garg N, Mahajan NC. Leucocytoclastic vasculitis: A complication after streptokinase therapy for acute myocardial infarction. Niger Med J [serial online] 2013 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];54:286-287
Available from: https://www.nigeriamedj.com/text.asp?2013/54/4/286/119663


Full Text

Sir,

Leucocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a reaction pattern of small dermal vessels, almost exclusively postcapillary venules, characterised by a combination of vascular damage and infiltrate composed largely of neutrophils. [1] Vasculitis has been reported as a rare complication of intravenous streptokinase but histopathological examination (HPE) has been rewarding. Less than 10 cases have been reported in the literature so far on Pubmed search.

A 62-year-old male patient presented to the emergency with severe chest pain. After all the investigations, the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction was made for which he was given 30 units of intravenous streptokinase, without heparin. After 6 h of treatment, he developed palpable purpuric rashes on the extensor aspects of arms and legs, with few on the abdomen. All routine investigations including complete blood counts, blood urea, serum creatinine, liver function tests and clotting studies were normal. Urine microscopy was also negative. Special tests for antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor and cryoglobulins were also negative. Biopsy from the lesion was obtained and sent for HPE. Haematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stained sections revealed perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrate, mainly neutrophils and their fragmentation (leucocytoclasia). Dermal vessels show swelling of endothelial cells and deposits of strongly eosinophilic strands of fibrin within and around the vessel wall. Extravasation of erythrocytes was also present along with dermal oedema [Figure 1] and [Figure 2]. Staining by direct immunofluorescence showed C3 and IgM deposits around the blood vessels. These findings were consistent with LCV.{Figure 1}{Figure 2}

The term LCV means karyorrhexis or fragmentation of nuclei. A large number of different disease processes can be accompanied by neutrophilic small vessel vasculitis mainly infections, immune-complex-mediated disorders like Henoch-Schonlein purpura, cryoglobulinaemia, serum sickness, autoimmune diseases, drug-induced paraneoplastic process, Behcets disease, antineutrophil antibody-associated like Wegner's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangitis, Churg-Strauss syndrome and polyarteritis nodosa. A hypersensitivity reaction to a drug can cause LCV. Drugs responsible are penicillin, thiazides, sulphonamides and rarely after, intravenous streptokinase. Clinical and histological manifestations are non-specific for particular category of vasculitis. It is, therefore, important to interpret the histological findings in context of clinical information along with other laboratory data to reach an appropriate diagnosis. Exposure to any potential allergen, such as a drug that might have elicited a hypersensitivity reaction should be sought. Antibody mediated inflammation plays a prominent role in pathogenesis of small vessel vasculitis. Its final pathway typically involves neutrophilic and monocyte activation with adherence to endothelial cells, infiltration of vessel wall and subsequently the release of lytic enzymes and toxic radicals. [1],[2]

LCV is a seldom reported side-effect of streptokinase and may be caused by Type-3 hypersensitivity syndrome. Smithson et al., in their study on skin lesions associated vasculitis with intravenous streptokinase in three patients. [3] A review of recent trials do not mention purpuric rashes, though this complication was found in 0.8% of patients receiving it. [4] Patients usually recover spontaneously.

We, hereby, report early development of purpuric rash as a sole complication, after treatment with intravenous streptokinase.

 Acknowledgment



We thank the institution for allowing us to proceed in this work.

References

1Lotti T, Ghersetich I, Comacchi C, Jorizzo JL. Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis. J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;39:667-87.
2Crowson AN, Mihm MC Jr, Magro CM. Cutaneous vasculitis: A review. J Cutan Pathol 2003;30:161-73.
3Smithson JE, Kennedy CT, Hughes S. A new skin lesion associated with intravenous streptokinase. BMJ 1993;306:973.
4Harrison I. Anistreplase questions answered. Br J Pharm Practice 1989;11:361.