Serum sickness

Serum sickness

Infobox_Disease
Name = Serum sickness


Caption =
DiseasesDB = 11970
ICD10 = ICD10|T|80|6|t|80
ICD9 = ICD9|999.5
ICDO =
OMIM =
MedlinePlus =
eMedicineSubj = med
eMedicineTopic = 2105
MeshID = D012713

Serum sickness is a reaction to proteins in antiserum derived from an animal source. It is a type of hypersensitivity, specifically immune complex hypersensitivity (type 3).

The term "serum sickness–like reaction (SSLR)" is occasionally used to refer to similar illnesses that arise from the introduction of certain non-protein substances.cite journal |author=Brucculeri M, Charlton M, Serur D |title=Serum sickness-like reaction associated with cefazolin |journal=BMC Clin Pharmacol |volume=6 |issue= |pages=3 |year=2006 |pmid=16504095 |pmc=1397863 |doi=10.1186/1472-6904-6-3 |url=http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6904/6/3]

It was first characterized by Clemens von Pirquet and Béla Schick in 1906.cite journal |author=Jackson R |title=Serum sickness |journal=J Cutan Med Surg |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=223–5 |year=2000 |month=October |pmid=11231202 |doi= |url=]

Presentation

Serum sickness typically develops up to ten days after exposure to the antiserum. The symptoms and treatment are very similar to an allergic reaction. However, it is different from true anaphylaxis, since the symptoms are not instantaneous: onset is typically 2-4 weeks after exposure.Fact|date=June 2008

Causes

Serum sickness can be developed as a result of exposure to antibodies derived from animals. These serums are generally administered in order to prevent or treat an infection or envenomation. When the antiserum is given, the human immune system can mistake the proteins present for harmful antigens. The body produces antibodies, which combine with these proteins to form immune complexes. These complexes can cause more reactions, and cause the symptoms detailed below. Serum sickness can also be caused by several drugs, notably penicillin based medicines. This result in hypocomplementemia, a low C3 level in serum.

ymptoms

Symptoms can take as long as fourteen days after exposure to appear, and may include:

* Rashes
* Joint pain (arthralgia)
* Fever
* Lymph node swelling (lymphadenopathy)
* Shock
* Decreased blood pressure (hypotension)
* Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)

Treatment

Symptoms will generally disappear on their own, although corticosteroids may be prescribed in the most severe forms. Antihistamine may also be used.

Use of plasmapheresis has also been described.cite journal |author=Lundquist AL, Chari RS, Wood JH, "et al" |title=Serum sickness following rabbit antithymocyte-globulin induction in a liver transplant recipient: case report and literature review |journal=Liver Transpl. |volume=13 |issue=5 |pages=647–50 |year=2007 |month=May |pmid=17377915 |doi=10.1002/lt.21098]

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • serum sickness — n an allergic reaction to the injection of foreign serum manifested by hives, swelling, eruption, arthritis, and fever called also serum disease * * * a reaction that sometimes occurs 7 12 days after injection of a quantity of foreign antigen and …   Medical dictionary

  • serum sickness — Pathol. a generalized allergic reaction to a foreign serum or drug, characterized by fever, skin rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and painful joints. Also called serum disease. [1910 15] * * * ▪ allergic reaction       an allergic (immune system… …   Universalium

  • serum sickness — noun a delayed allergic reaction to the injection of an antiserum caused by an antibody reaction to an antigen in the donor serum • Syn: ↑serum disease • Hypernyms: ↑allergy, ↑allergic reaction …   Useful english dictionary

  • serum sickness — noun Date: circa 1913 an allergic reaction to the injection of foreign serum manifested by hives, swelling, eruption, arthritis, and fever …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • serum sickness — A hypersensitivity response (Type III) to the injection of large amounts of antigen, as might happen when large amounts of antiserum are given in a passive immunization. The effects are caused by the presence of soluble immune complexes in the… …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • serum sickness — noun An allergylike reaction to proteins in antiserum derived from animal sources …   Wiktionary

  • serum sickness — a reaction that sometimes occurs 7–12 days after injection of a quantity of foreign antigen and is characterized by the deposition of large immune complexes. Since the complexes are deposited in the arteries, kidneys, and joints, the symptoms are …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • serum sickness — /ˈsɪərəm sɪknəs/ (say searruhm siknuhs) noun a hypersensitive reaction to proteins in an antiserum derived from a non human animal source …  

  • serum disease — n SERUM SICKNESS * * * see under sickness …   Medical dictionary

  • serum neuropathy — serum sickness neuropathy a neurologic disorder, usually involving the cervical nerves or brachial plexus, occurring two to eight days after the injection of foreign protein, such as an antiserum or antitoxin of animal origin, characterized by… …   Medical dictionary

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