Vasculitic Neuropathy Following Exposure to a Glyphosate-based Herbicide

Intern Med. 2017;56(11):1431-1434. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.56.8064. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Abstract

We herein report a case of peripheral neuropathy following exposure to large amounts of glyphosate-based herbicide. A 70-year-old man suffered from pain and purpura in the left sole following exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide. Pain and purpura spread to the opposite side and increased in severity. Mild weakness of the lower limbs was also observed. A sural nerve biopsy revealed the infiltration of lymphocytes around small vessels in the epineurium with numerous eosinophils, deposition of hemosiderins and focal axonal degeneration, compatible with findings of vasculitic neuropathy. Glyphosate-based herbicides should be recognized as a causative agent of vasculitic neuropathy.

Keywords: cutaneous vasculitis; glyphosate-based herbicides; systemic vasculitis; vasculitic neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Glycine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glycine / toxicity
  • Glyphosate
  • Herbicides / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Vasculitis / chemically induced*
  • Vasculitis / pathology

Substances

  • Herbicides
  • Glycine