Skin manifestations and serum IgE levels in levamisole-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Skin manifestations may occur as adverse effects of immunostimulant therapy with Levamisole. They are generally regarded as drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions. Our observations revealed that, in Levamisole-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients, urticaria was accompanied by an elevation of serum IgE, but other types of skin reactions were not. Moreover, elevation of IgE occurred without any skin reactions in some cases. It is suggested that Levamisole - stimulating T lymphocytes - may also stimulate IgE-mediated atopic responses.