serum_sickness
Table of Contents
serum sickness
introduction
- serum sickness is a Gell & Coombs Type III delayed onset hypersensitivity reaction
- it is mediated by immune complexes (IgG/IgM)
- Ab-Ag complexes in circulation in ratio 1-2:1 may cause deposition onto cell membranes activating complement
- this causes local inflammation including urticaria with joint effusions
- symptoms can take as long as fourteen days after exposure to appear
- 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
aetiology
- cefaclor cephalosporins is a common cause in children
- large doses of parenteral non-human protein administration is also a common cause
- eg. polyvalent snake bite antivenoms
- other medications
clinical features
- rashes
- pruritus
- joint pain (arthralgia) +/- effusions
- fever
- lymphadenopathy
- malaise
- may cause:
- hypotension and even shock
- splenomegaly
- glomerulonephritis and proteinuria
Rx
- cease trigger
- if severe, consider corticosteroids
- most will settle within 4-5 days of ceasing trigger
serum_sickness.txt · Last modified: 2012/01/04 05:16 by 127.0.0.1