Serum sickness: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
*A type III [[Hypersensitivity Reaction|hypersensitivity reaction]]
[[File:Serum_sickness.jpeg|thumb|Typical appearance of serum sickness rash]]
**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
*Reactions secondary to the administration of nonprotein drugs (e.g. [[Amoxicillin]], [[cefaclor]], [[cephalexin]] (Keflex), [[trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole]])
**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==
==Clinical Features==
*Primary occurs 6-21 days after exposure
*[[Fever]]
**1-4 days after subsequent exposures to the same antigen
*[[Arthralgia]]
*Fever
*[[Lymphadenopathy]]
*Arthralgia
*Lymphadenopathy
*Skin eruption (rash)
*Skin eruption (rash)
**Urticaria
**[[Urticaria]]
**Scarlatiniform rash
**Scarlatiniform [[rash]]
**Maculopapular or purpuric lesions
**Maculopapular or purpuric lesions
**Erythema multiforme
**[[Erythema multiforme]]
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
* [[Erythema multiforme]]
*[[Erythema multiforme]]
* [[Mononucleosis]]
*[[Mononucleosis]]
* [[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]]


{{Differential Diagnosis Polyarthritis}}
{{Differential Diagnosis Polyarthritis}}


==Diagnosis==
==Evaluation==
*Clinical diagnosis in which labs may be suggestive but not required<ref>Alissa HM et al. Serum Sickness Workup. Dec 14, 2015. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332032-workup#showall</ref>
*Clinical diagnosis in which labs may be suggestive but not required<ref>Alissa HM et al. Serum Sickness Workup. Dec 14, 2015. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332032-workup#showall</ref>
*Mild leukopenia or leukocytosis
**Careful investigation of new medications
**[http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332032-overview#a5 List] of serum sickness medications
*Mild [[leukopenia]] or [[leukocytosis]]
*ESR elevation
*ESR elevation
*Mild proteinuria
*Mild [[proteinuria]]
*Mild hematuria
*Mild [[hematuria]]
*Mild serum Cr elevation
*Mild serum creatinine elevation
*Decreased C3, C4
*Decreased C3, C4
*Other labs to obtain:
**CH50
**[[LFTs]]
**Urine electrolytes (Na, K, Cr, eosinophils)
**ESR and CRP
**[[Viral hepatitis]] panel, HIV, RPR/VDRL


==Treatment==
==Management==
*D/C antigen
*Discontinue antigen
*[[Diphenhydramamine]]
*Antipyretics
*[[Diphenhydramine]]
*[[Prednisone]]
*[[Prednisone]]


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
Admit for:
*Admit for:
*Significant comorbidities (advanced or very young age, immunocompromised)
**Significant comorbidities (advanced or very young age, immunocompromised)
*Severe symptoms  
**Severe symptoms  
*Hemodynamic instability/hypotension
**Hemodynamic instability/hypotension
*Unclear diagnosis  
**Unclear diagnosis  
 
==External Links==
*[http://pemcincinnati.com/blog/briefs-serum-sickness-like-reaction-re-post/ Cincinnati PEM Blog Briefs: Serum Sickness]
 
==See Also==
 


==Prognosis==
==References==
*Symptoms usually last 1-2 weeks before spontaneously subsiding
<references/>
*Long-lasting sequelae generally do not occur
*Fatalities are rare and usually are due to continued administration of the antigen


[[Category:Derm]]
[[Category:Dermatology]]
[[Category:Rheumatology]]

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