Case report of a rare side effect following Streptokinase

Abstract

Streptokinase is one of the commonly used

thrombolytic agent in clinical practice. The common side

effects include hemorrhage, fever, and immediate allergic

reaction. Serum sickness and crescentic glomerulonephritis

have also been described after streptokinase treatment (1).

Streptokinase is a non-enzymatic protein (47 kD) produced

by group C streptococci. The reported frequency of allergic

reactions to the drug varies between 1-7% and 18% (2) of

which the majority is mild and self-limiting, taking the form of

acute immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions including

urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm and anaphylaxis, and

delayed cutaneous lymphocytic reactions. We present a

case of Streptokinase induced vasculitis presenting as

purpuric lesions immediately after streptokinase therapy. We

report the development of small vessel vasculitis in a patient

treated with streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction.