Severe acute polyarthropathy associated with levamisole therapy in a patient with Crohn's disease

A 17 year old Caucasian youth with intractable Crohn's disease developed a severe, acute polyarthropathy during a second course of levamisole therapy. Rapid resolution of systemic symptoms occurred on stopping the drug but full joint recovery was not achieved until five months had elapsed. The relationship of levamisole to Crohn's disease and the underlying mechanisms of the polyarthropathy are discussed.