A rare case of oxacillin-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Abstract

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is a pathology whose mechanisms are associated with the process of vascular inflammation. It is estimated that up to 24% of the cases of vasculitis are drug-related, with beta-lactam antimicrobials being one of the pharmacological groups commonly associated with this adverse outcome. Oxacillin, a semisynthetic penicillin, has a beta-lactam ring that confers biological activity and is most frequently associated with reports of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. However, similar cases related to this antimicrobial are rare, with only three cases identified in the literature. Against this background, we report a fourth case of leukocytoclastic vasculitis in a 56-yearold man, on oxacillin treatment, who developed the vasculitis on the 3rd day of antimicrobial use. In addition to oxacillin suspension, he was treated with 125 mg/day of intravenous methylprednisolone for seven days, followed by 20 mg/day of oral prednisone for four days, resulting in satisfactory remission of the skin lesions and no new adverse outcomes. This case provides further evidence supporting the potential causal relationship between the use of oxacillin and the development of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, albeit a rare occurrence. The positive response to therapeutic interventions, such as oxacillin suspension and corticosteroid treatment, underscores the effectiveness of these approaches in addressing this complication.

Keywords

• Oxacillin
• Beta-Lactams
• Vasculitis leukocytoclastic cutaneous
• Drug-related side effects and adverse reactions
• Case reports