Background: The development of drugs directed against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α has dramatically modified the therapeutic approach to inflammatory bowel diseases: a larger use of such drugs has also led to a major knowledge about their adverse effects, especially on skin. The aim of this report was to describe a rare steroid-dependent form of leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by an anti-TNF-α agent in a young woman with ulcerative colitis.
Case presentation: A young girl with ulcerative colitis developed a form of leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by an anti-TNF-α agent. Recurrent palpable purpuric lesions on her legs were the main cutaneous manifestation. Skin lesions were steroid-dependent, but improved after withdrawal of the anti-TNF-α agent and second-line immunosuppressant therapy.
Conclusions: The need to develop specific recommendations to guide the use of medications for managing skin reactions induced by anti-TNF-α drugs is herein emphasized.
Keywords: leukocytoclastic vasculitis; purpura; tumor necrosis factor; ulcerative colitis.