Serum sickness

Causes

Serum sickness is a type III hypersensitivity reaction, caused by immune complexes. When an 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 precipitate, enter the walls of blood vessels, and activate the complement cascade, initiating an inflammatory response and consuming much of the available complement component 3 (C3). They can be found circulating in the blood, which differentiates serum sickness from serum sickness-like reaction. The result is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis. This results in hypocomplementemia, a low C3 level in serum. They can also cause more reactions, causing the typical symptoms of serum sickness. This is similar to a generalised Arthus reaction.

Antitoxins and antisera

Serum sickness is usually a result of exposure to antibodies derived from animals. These sera or antitoxins are generally given to prevent or treat an infection or envenomation (venomous bite).

Drugs

Serum sickness may be caused by some routine medications. Some of the drugs associated with serum sickness are:

• allopurinol
• barbiturates
• captopril
• cephalosporins
• crofab
• griseofulvin
• penicillins
• phenytoin
• procainamide
• quinidine
• streptokinase
• sulfonamides
• rituximab
• ibuprofen
• infliximab
• oxycodone

Others

Allergenic extracts, hormones and vaccines can also cause serum sickness. However, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, routinely recommended vaccinations to the general population in the U.S have not been shown to cause serum sickness, as of 2012.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on history given by patient, including recent medications. A blood sample may be taken and tested, which will show thrombocytopenia (low platelets), leukopenia (low white blood cells), high sedimentation of red blood cells, and a decrease in the complement proteins C3 and C4. A urine sample may be taken and tested, which will show proteinuria, and sometimes hematuria (blood in the urine, with hemoglobinuria).

Differential diagnosis

Similar skin symptoms may be caused by lupus, erythema multiforme, and hives.

Prevention

Avoidance of antitoxins that may cause serum sickness is the best way to prevent serum sickness. Sometimes, the benefits of using an antitoxin outweigh the risks in the case of a life-threatening bite or sting. Prophylactic antihistamines or corticosteroids may be used with an antitoxin. Skin testing may be used beforehand in order to identify individuals who may be at risk of a reaction. Physicians should make their patients aware of the drugs or antitoxins to which they are allergic if there is a reaction. The physician will then choose an alternate antitoxin if it is appropriate, or continue with prophylactic measures. This is important if a patient has received an antitoxin before, as the serum sickness caused can be worse and occur more quickly.

Treatment

Antiserum or drug treatment should be stopped as soon as possible. Once treatment has stopped, symptoms usually resolve within seven days. Outcomes are generally good.

Corticosteroids, antihistamines, and analgesics are the main line of treatment. The choice depends on the severity of the reaction. Prednisone may be used in severe cases.

Use of plasmapheresis has also been described.

Epidemiology

Serum sickness is becoming less common over time. Many drugs based on animal serum have been replaced with artificial drugs.

History

Serum sickness was first characterized by Clemens von Pirquet and Béla Schick in 1906.