Gastrointestinal leukocytoclastic vasculitis: an adverse effect of sirolimus

Pediatr Transplant. 2005 Feb;9(1):97-100. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2005.00245.x.

Abstract

An 18-yr-old Hispanic female with end-stage renal disease secondary to chronic glomerulonephritis of unknown etiology underwent cadaveric renal transplantation. She was placed on a steroid-free protocol with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for maintenance immunosuppression. Approximately 8 months post-transplantation, MMF was replaced by sirolimus (SRL) because of persistent leukopenia. Four months after the initiation of SRL, the patient began to experience chronic, constant periumbilical abdominal pain in the absence of vomiting, diarrhea or melena. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and CT scans revealed significant diffuse mucosal thickening of the antrum, duodenum, and jejunum; leukocytoclastic vasculitis was identified on antral biopsy. A repeat biopsy after reduction of sirolimus dose by 50% over 6 months showed mild chronic inflammation of stomach and duodenum with some improvement in abdominal pain. Discontinuation of SRL and replacement with low dose MMF resulted in complete resolution of pain and normalization of gastrointestinal anatomy by imaging studies within 2 months. In light of this report, drug-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis caused by SRL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain in a patient with organ transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Cadaver
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Sirolimus / adverse effects*
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / chemically induced*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / diagnosis

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Sirolimus