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Antibodies
Antibodies

Serum sickness
Definition:
Serum sickness is a group of symptoms caused by a delayed immune response to certain medications or antiserum (passive immunization with antibodies from an animal or another person).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Serum is the clear fluid portion of blood. It does not contain blood cells, but it does contain many proteins, including antibodies, which are formed as part of the immune response to protect against infection.

Antiserum is a preparation of serum that has been removed from a person or animal that has already developed immunity to a particular microorganism. It contains antibodies against that microorganism.

An injection of antiserum (passive immunization) may be used when a person has been exposed to a potentially dangerous microorganism against which the person has not been immunized. It provides immediate, but temporary protection while the person develops a personal immune response against the toxin or microorganism. Examples include antiserum for tetanus and rabies exposure.

Serum sickness is a hypersensitivity reaction similar to allergy. The immune system misidentifies a protein in antiserum as a potentially harmful substance (antigen), and it develops an immune response against the antiserum.

Antibodies bind with the antiserum protein to create larger particles (immune complexes). The immune complexes are deposited in various tissues, causing inflammation and various other symptoms.

Because it takes time for the body to produce antibodies to a new antigen, symptoms do not develop until 7 to 21 days after initial exposure to the antiserum. Patients may develop symptoms in 1 to 3 days if they have previously been exposed to the offending agent.

Exposure to certain medications (particularly penicillin) can cause a similar process. Unlike other drug allergies, which occur very soon after receiving the medication for the second (or subsequent) time, serum sickness can develop 7 to 21 days after the first exposure to a medication. The drug molecules probably combine with a protein in the blood before being misidentified as an antigen.

Blood products may also induce serum sickness.

Serum sickness is different from anaphylactic shock, which is an immediate reaction with more severe symptoms.
Symptoms:
Note: The symptoms develop 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to antiserum or medication.
Signs and tests:
The lymph nodes may be enlarged and tender to palpation. The urine may contain blood or protein. Blood tests may indicate a vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels.
Treatment:
The goal of treatment is the relief of symptoms.

Topical corticosteroids or other soothing topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) medications may relieve discomfort from itching and rash. Antihistamines may shorten the duration of illness and help to relieve rash and itching. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may relieve joint pain. Corticosteroids such as prednisone may be prescribed for severe cases.

Causative medications should be stopped.

Future use of the medication or antiserum should be avoided. Health care providers (such as dentists and hospital personnel) should be advised of drug allergies before treating the patient. Identifying jewelry or cards (such as Medic-Alert or others) may be advised.
Expectations (prognosis):
The symptoms usually resolve within a few days. The antiserum or medication should be avoided in the future.
Complications:

Increased risk of anaphylaxis for future exposures to the substance is a possible complication.
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if medication or antiserum has been given within the last 2 weeks and symptoms of serum sickness appear.
Prevention:
There is no known way to prevent the development of serum sickness.

People who have experienced serum sickness, anaphylactic shock, or drug allergy should avoid future use of the antiserum or drug.
Review Date: 11/2/2001
Reviewed By: Sarah Pressman Lovinger, M.D., General Internist at Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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