Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyDrug Reaction DataReferences
Serum sickness-like reaction in Adult
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Serum sickness-like reaction in Adult

Contributors: Romi Bloom MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Serum sickness-like reaction (SSLR) is a drug reaction that manifests with fevers, an urticarial or exanthematous rash, arthralgias, myalgias, and occasionally lymphadenopathy. As opposed to true serum sickness, it is not secondary to heterologous or chimeric therapeutic proteins and it usually lacks immune complex formation characteristic of serum sickness. The theorized pathogenesis for SSLR includes aberrant inflammation secondary to abnormal metabolism of medication byproducts. Most reactions occur within 1-3 weeks after drug initiation.

Eosinophilia may be present, but unlike true serum sickness, immune complexes, hypocomplementemia, and vasculitis are not found. Most reactions are mild and self-limited and resolve within several days to weeks after drug withdrawal.

Antibiotics, particularly cefaclor, penicillins, and sulfonamides, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), allopurinol, propranolol, and carbamazepine are among the most frequent offenders.

Codes

ICD10CM:
T80.69XA – Other serum reaction due to other serum, initial encounter

SNOMEDCT:
402658008 – Serum sickness type vasculitis

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

Drug Reaction Data

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:08/06/2018
Last Updated:09/04/2018
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Serum sickness-like reaction in Adult
A medical illustration showing key findings of Serum sickness-like reaction : Fever, Erythema, Primarily truncal distribution, Symmetric extremities distribution, Widespread distribution, Arthralgia, Pruritus, Annular configuration, Hives
Clinical image of Serum sickness-like reaction - imageId=1102435. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Widespread urticarial and ecchymotic papules and plaques on the trunk, developing secondary to cefaclor.'
Widespread urticarial and ecchymotic papules and plaques on the trunk, developing secondary to cefaclor.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.