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Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Establishing a Mouse Model of a Pure Small Fiber Neuropathy with the Ultrapotent Agonist of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1
Published on: February 13, 2018
Vasculitic neuropathy following exposure to minocycline
John M Baratta1, P James B Dyck1, Patricio Brand1
1Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (J.M.B.) and Neurology (C.K.), The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; the Department of Neurology (P.J.B.D., P.B., P.J.D., J.K.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; the Department of Neurological Sciences (P.T.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha; and the Department of Neurology (B.G.), Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ.
Objective:
To report 3 patients with minocycline-induced autoimmunity resulting in peripheral nerve vasculitis.
Methods:
We report 3 patients who, during minocycline treatment for acne vulgaris, developed subacute onset of pain and weakness caused by vasculitis in single and multiple mononeuropathy patterns.
Results:
Each patient underwent either a nerve or muscle biopsy that confirmed vasculitis. One patient additionally developed systemic symptoms (including fever, fatigue, and night sweats) and another had a posterior circulation stroke. Symptoms developed with either early or prolonged use of minocycline. Despite withdrawal of minocycline, patients needed long-term immunotherapy to gain neurologic improvement.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that the typical neuropathy associated with minocycline use is painful single or multiple mononeuropathy due to peripheral nerve vasculitis, which may also be accompanied by presumed CNS vasculitis (presenting as stroke).
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