Immunoleukopenia as an Aspect of Hypersensitivity to Propylthiouracil

Abstract

A 15-year-old girl developed a hypersensitivity syndrome believed to be associated with administration of propylthiouracil for thyrotoxicosis. The clinical picture included leukopenia; slowly healing ulcerations of the skin; intermittent purpuric lesions of the face, hands, ankles, and feet; frequent febrile episodes; pain and swelling of joints; splenomegaly; and hyperglobulinemia. Antibodies against the autologous white blood cells were demonstrated by immunofluorescent staining techniques with the inference that these autoantibodies were destructive and antileukocytic.