Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients.

Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients. Research Abstract Details 

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Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients. Abstract Text:

Kamal El Kallab,Jihad El Khoury,Edouard Elias,Amale Chelala,

BACKGROUND: The antihelminthic Levamisole (LVM) is actually used as an immunomodulator in colon cancer. Its neurological toxicity is well known when used concomitantly with 5-Fluorouracil (5 FU) and, rarely when used solely at high doses. Antihelminthic imidazoles induced encephalopathy (AIIE), has been reported only in China. METHODS: We report two Lebanese patients with AIIE, with literature review concerning the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, laboratory, imaging and prognosis of this entity. RESULTS: AIIE supervenes after sensitization and re-exposure to the drug. It resembles the acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and the differentiation from multiple sclerosis is primarily based on the monophasic clinical and radiological (MRI) pattern of the disease. The treatment consists of steroids, and it has a good prognosis. The immunomodulatory role of Levamisole is evident but the pharmacokinetics remain unknown. CONCLUSION: This disease entity has to be considered anytime a patient, in an endemic area for helminthiasis, develops an encephalopathy, especially after a documented exposure to imidazoles, even at low doses and particularly after re-exposure to the drug that has to be prudent.

Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients. Publishing Authors By Initials

K El Kallab,J El Khoury,E Elias,A Chelala,

For similar polycyclic compounds: steroids research abstracts see: polycyclic compounds: steroids research

PUBMED ID PMID:

MEDLINE DATE: 2003 Oct-Dec

Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients. Journal Published:

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

Journal: Le Journal médical libanais. The Lebanese medical

VOLUME: 51

Page Numbers: 221-7

Journal Abbreviation:

ISSN: 0023-9852

DAY: 15

MONTH: 02

YEAR: 2008

Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients. Information

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LANGUAGE: eng

NlmUniqueID: 375352

Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients. Keywords Mesh Terms:

KEYWORDS: Steroids

MESH TERMS: therapeutic use

Chemical & Substance for Abstract: Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients. Information

Substance Name: Fluorouracil

Registry Number: 51-21-8

Grant and Affiliation Information for Encephalopathy induced by antihelminthic use of levamisole: report of two patients.

AFFILIATION: Department of Neurology, Notre-Dame de Secours Hospital, Byblos, Lebanon. kamal@kallab.net

Country: Lebanon

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MEDLINETA: J Med Liban

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