Clinical case of levamisole-induced multifocal inflammatory leukoencephalopathy

• Published in: Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova Vol. 119; no. 12; p. 106
• Main Authors: Averchenkov, D M, Bejsheeva, M T, Ivakina, E D, Fominykh, V V, Grazhdantseva, L Yu, Ivashchenko, R A, Arzumanian, N Sh, Brylev, L V, Guekht, A B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Russia (Federation) 2019
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - adverse effects; Adjuvants, Immunologic - therapeutic use; Demyelinating Diseases; Humans; Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal - chemically induced; Levamisole - adverse effects; Levamisole - therapeutic use; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Russia; Russia; leukoencephalopathy; demyelinating disorders; levamisole
• ISSN: 1997-7298
• DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2019119121106

Levamisole is an immunomodulatory drug which can trigger development of levamisole-induced multifocal inflammatory leukoencephalopathy (LIMIL) in patients treated for helminthic invasion, aphthous stomatitis, cancer, or cocaine users. LIMIL clinical case in patient 45 years old after single dose of levamisole (taken without any medical prescription) was described. We presented clinical history and clinical picture, MRI and laboratory data and treatment results during 1-year observation. According to similarity of LIMIL with acute disseminating encephalomyelitis or debut of multiple sclerosis and high frequency of levamisole usage in Russia (usually without medical prescription) LIMIL should be included in differential diagnosis in demyelinating disorders and treated according to current clinical recommendation.