Asociación de Ulomoides Dermestoides "cucarrón del maní" como causa de purpura palpable / Association of Ulomoides Dermestoides "beetle-peanut" as cause of palpable purpura

RESUMEN

La coleoterapia (consumo de larvas de Ulomoides Dermestoides), ha sido utilizado en medicina alternativa para tratar diferentes patologías crónicas como artritis, diabetes o cáncer. Su uso ha incrementado en Suramérica en los últimos años ganando aceptación. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 64 años con purpura palpable en extremidades y fiebre que aparece durante el consumo de las larvas. Fue diagnosticado una vasculitis de hipersensibilidad la cual resolvió después de suspender el consumo de las larvas e iniciar corticosteroides. Esta es la primera asociación entre coleoterapia y purpura palpable que se ha descrito en la literatura destacando el potencial riesgo de eventos adversos generados por tratamientos de medicina alternativa

ABSTRACT

Ingestion of Ulomoides Dermestoides "beetle-peanut" has been used in alternative medicine to treat different chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes or cancer. Its use has increased in South America in recent years with acceptance. We present the case of a 64-year-old woman with palpable purpura in limbs and fever that appears during ingestion of the beetles. A hypersensitivity vasculitis was diagnosed which resolved after suspending ingestion of the beetles and initiating corticosteroids. The present case shows the potential risk of adverse events generated by alternative medicine treatments. This is the first association between Ingestion of Ulomoides dermestoides "beetle-peanut" and palpable purpura which has been described in the literature