Serum sickness: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
[[File:Serum_sickness.jpeg|thumb|Typical appearance of serum sickness rash]]
*A type III [[Hypersensitivity Reaction|hypersensitivity reaction]] (secondary to injection of anitoxins e.g. [[tetanus]], [[rabies]])
*A type III [[Hypersensitivity Reaction|hypersensitivity reaction]] (secondary to injection of anitoxins e.g. [[tetanus]], [[rabies]])
*Reactions secondary to the administration of nonprotein drugs (e.g. [[Amoxicillin]], [[cefaclor]], [[cephalexin]] (Keflex), [[trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole]])
*Reactions secondary to the administration of nonprotein drugs (e.g. [[Amoxicillin]], [[cefaclor]], [[cephalexin]] (Keflex), [[trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole]])
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==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*[[Fever]]
*[[Fever]]
*Arthralgia
*[[Arthralgia]]
*Lymphadenopathy
*[[Lymphadenopathy]]
*Skin eruption (rash)
*Skin eruption (rash)
**[[Urticaria]]
**[[Urticaria]]
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**Maculopapular or purpuric lesions
**Maculopapular or purpuric lesions
**[[Erythema multiforme]]
**[[Erythema multiforme]]
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*[[Erythema multiforme]]
*[[Erythema multiforme]]
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*[[Polymyositis]]
*[[Polymyositis]]
*[[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus]]
*[[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus]]
*Tick-Borne Diseases, [[Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever]]
*[[Tick borne illnesses]], [[Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever]]
*[[Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis]]
*[[Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis]]


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**Careful investigation of new medications
**Careful investigation of new medications
**[http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332032-overview#a5 List] of serum sickness medications
**[http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332032-overview#a5 List] of serum sickness medications
*Mild leukopenia or leukocytosis
*Mild [[leukopenia]] or [[leukocytosis]]
*ESR elevation
*ESR elevation
*Mild proteinuria
*Mild [[proteinuria]]
*Mild [[hematuria]]
*Mild [[hematuria]]
*Mild serum creatinine elevation
*Mild serum creatinine elevation
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*Other labs to obtain:
*Other labs to obtain:
**CH50
**CH50
**LFTs
**[[LFTs]]
**Urine electrolytes (Na, K, Cr, eosinophils)
**Urine electrolytes (Na, K, Cr, eosinophils)
**ESR and CRP
**ESR and CRP
**HepB, HepC panel, HIV, RPR/VDRL
**[[Viral hepatitis]] panel, HIV, RPR/VDRL


==Management==
==Management==
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==External Links==
==External Links==
 
*[http://pemcincinnati.com/blog/briefs-serum-sickness-like-reaction-re-post/ Cincinnati PEM Blog Briefs: Serum Sickness]


==See Also==
==See Also==

Latest revision as of 18:38, 10 January 2022

Background

Typical appearance of serum sickness rash
  • A type III hypersensitivity reaction (secondary to injection of anitoxins e.g. tetanus, rabies)
  • Reactions secondary to the administration of nonprotein drugs (e.g. Amoxicillin, cefaclor, cephalexin (Keflex), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole)
  • Primary occurs 6-21 days after initial exposure
    • 1-4 days after subsequent exposures to the same antigen
  • Symptoms usually last 1-2 weeks before spontaneously subsiding
  • Long-lasting sequelae generally do not occur
  • Fatalities are rare and usually are due to continued administration of the antigen

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Polyarthritis

Algorithm for Polyarticular arthralgia

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis in which labs may be suggestive but not required[1]
    • Careful investigation of new medications
    • List of serum sickness medications
  • Mild leukopenia or leukocytosis
  • ESR elevation
  • Mild proteinuria
  • Mild hematuria
  • Mild serum creatinine elevation
  • Decreased C3, C4
  • Other labs to obtain:
    • CH50
    • LFTs
    • Urine electrolytes (Na, K, Cr, eosinophils)
    • ESR and CRP
    • Viral hepatitis panel, HIV, RPR/VDRL

Management

Disposition

  • Admit for:
    • Significant comorbidities (advanced or very young age, immunocompromised)
    • Severe symptoms
    • Hemodynamic instability/hypotension
    • Unclear diagnosis

External Links

See Also

References

  1. Alissa HM et al. Serum Sickness Workup. Dec 14, 2015. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332032-workup#showall