Overview
What is the pathophysiology of serum sickness?
What is the role of endothelial cells in the pathophysiology of serum sickness?
What is the role of the immune system in the pathophysiology of serum sickness?
Which drugs can cause serum sickness?
What is the role of monoclonal antibodies in the etiology of serum sickness?
What is the prevalence of serum sickness?
What is the prognosis of serum sickness?
Presentation
What are the signs and symptoms of serum sickness?
Which physical findings are characteristic of serum sickness?
What are neurologic manifestations of serum sickness?
DDX
Which disorders should be included in the differential diagnosis for serum sickness?
What are the differential diagnoses for Serum Sickness?
Workup
What is the role of lab studies in the workup of serum sickness?
Which histologic findings are characteristic of serum sickness?
Treatment
What are the treatment options for serum sickness?
When is inpatient care indicated for the treatment of serum sickness?
Which specialist consultations are beneficial for the diagnosis of serum sickness?
How is serum sickness prevented?
What is the role of desensitization in the treatment of serum sickness?
What is included in long-term monitoring of patients with serum sickness?
Medications
What is the goal of therapy for serum sickness?
Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Serum Sickness?
Which medications in the drug class Antihistamines are used in the treatment of Serum Sickness?
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A 29-year-old woman with RA presented with fever, a diffuse skin rash, and arthralgia approximately 10 days after receiving intravenous rituximab. Diagnosis was rituximab-associated serum sickness. Image courtesy of Jason Kolfenbach, MD, and Kevin Deane, MD, Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine.