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Lymphocytic angiitis following streptokinase therapy
1Muncy Valley Hospital, Pennsylvania.
Cutis
|July 1, 1988
Summary
A patient developed a skin rash after streptokinase treatment for heart attack. This lymphocytic angiitis, a hypersensitivity reaction, highlights a potentially serious complication of this therapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Streptokinase is a thrombolytic agent used to treat acute myocardial infarction.
- Hypersensitivity reactions to streptokinase can occur, but their severity is variable.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old man presented with a palpable, purpuric, nonpruritic rash nine days post-intravenous streptokinase therapy.
- Skin biopsy revealed perivascular mononuclear and eosinophilic infiltration.
Findings:
- Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated immune complexes, fibrin, and complement deposition in dermal microvasculature.
- These findings confirmed lymphocytic angiitis induced by streptokinase, an intermediate-type hypersensitivity reaction.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potentially serious complication of streptokinase therapy.
- Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of streptokinase-induced hypersensitivity reactions.
- Variable severity of these reactions necessitates careful patient monitoring.