An 88-year-old female presented to the ER with a chief complaint of cough, vague abdominal pain, and a rash. The patient stated that she was started on Cipro eyedrops 1 or 2 days prior to presentation for a possible eye infection. A day prior to presentation she developed a purple purpuric rash on her lower extremities that gradually progressed up her legs, and was present on her buttocks thighs, and lower legs. It was not on her palms or soles. She had no mucous membrane involvement. She lives alone. The nursing home called EMS given the patient’s severe and progressive rash and the fact that the patient was feeling unwell. She had no fever, vomiting, foreign travel, other new drug exposure, or other complaints.

 

purpura

GI: Abdomen is mildly diffusely tender without guarding or rebound.

Skin: There are scattered petechiae and purpura on her lower extremities, thighs, and buttocks. They are somewhat raised, non-blanching, not itchy, and non-tender. They are most prominent on her buttocks and dependent areas of her body.

WBC: 7.8 with normal differential

Platelets: 423

Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP): normal kidney function and electrolytes

ESR: 125 mm/hour

CRP: 89 mg/L

Urinalysis (UA): >9,8000 bacteria, nitrite positive

This patient’s history and physical are consistent with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA Vasculitis).

Common triggers include infection, drugs, and autoimmune.

Take-Home Points

  • Consider IgA vasculitis, even in an older patient.
  • Ciprofloxacin has been documented as a cause of IgA vasculitis.
  • Steroids and NSAIDs are the treatment of choice, and this condition usually improves with time.

  • Gamboa F, Rivera JM, Gómez Mateos JM, Gomez-Gras E. Ciprofloxacin-induced Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Ann Pharmacother. 1995 Jan;29(1):84. doi: 10.1177/106002809502900119. PMID: 7711355.
  • Gkoufa A, Sakellariou S, Katsoulas N, Georgakopoulou VE, Lazaris A, Cholongitas E. Henoch-Schönlein purpura associated with ciprofloxacin. Dermatol Ther. 2021 Jan;34(1):e14591. doi: 10.1111/dth.14591. Epub 2020 Dec 3. PMID: 33244823.

Copyright

Images and cases from the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Clinical Images Exhibit at the 2023 SAEM Annual Meeting | Copyrighted by SAEM 2023 – all rights reserved. View other cases from this Clinical Image Series on ALiEM.

Andrew Bleinberger, MD

Andrew Bleinberger, MD

Resident
WellSpan York Hospital
Andrew Bleinberger, MD

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