Propylthiouracil Induced ANCA Positive Vasculitis: a Case Report

Anti-thyroid drugs, methimazole, carbimazole and propylthiouracil are commonly prescribed for the treatment of hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease. We present here the report of a Caucasian patient with Graves’ disease who developed ANCA positive propylthiouracil induced vasculitis. The episode was characterised by a vasculitic skin rash associated with polyarthralgia but no renal involvement. While carbimazole/ methimazole has a lower incidence of reported ANCA positive side effects than PTU, the use of the latter in pregnancy may still be considered as reasonable because the immunosuppressionof pregnancy may prevent the appearance of immune problems.