Polyarteritis nodosa and drug abuse: is there a connection?

Samuels, N; Shemesh, O; Yinnon, A M; Fisher, D; Abraham, A S · Postgrad Med J · 1996

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Drug abuse has been controversially linked to polyarteritis nodosa. A 28-year-old man with a history of drug abuse with inhaled heroin presented with an enigmatic illness consisting of refractory fever, bilateral pleural effusions, migratory polyarthritis, and a leukaemoid reaction. An abdominal angiography confirmed the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa, and treatment with both prednisone and cyclophosphamide resulted in significant clinical and laboratory improvement.

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