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| Serum sickness Classification and external resources |
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| ICD-10 | T80.6 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 999.5 |
| DiseasesDB | 11970 |
| eMedicine | med/2105 |
| MeSH | D012713 |
Serum sickness is a reaction to proteins in antiserum derived from an animal source. It is a type of hypersensitivity, specifically immune complex (type 3) hypersensitivity.
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.citation needed
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.
Contents |
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.
Symptoms
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.
References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008) |
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Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 9 August 2008, at 11:13.
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