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Douglas K. Kelsey, MD, PhD
Eli Lilly and Co Indianapolis, Ind

JAMA. 1996;276(12):950-951.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

In Reply.

—Originally, the serum sickness reaction was described following the administration of horse antiserum. Recently, the serum sickness reaction has been associated with the administration of penicillin, hydralazine, sulfonamides, or thiazide diuretics. This clinical entity results from the formation and deposition of detectable antigen-antibody complexes in blood vessels. Subsequent activation of the immune system and release of vasoactive amines results in clinical disease from 1 to 3 weeks, but usually 7 to 10 days after exposure to the antigen. An urticarial or maculopapular skin rash is the most common sign, occurring 90% of the time.

Arthralgias occur in 50% of the cases. Fever, lymphadenopathy, and proteinuria are less frequent. The clinical course is usually benign and resolves quickly after withdrawal of the offending antigen. Epinephrine, antihistamines, and/or steroids may be helpful in more severe cases.¹

From the late 1970s through 1991, Eli Lilly and Co collected and investigated spontaneous reports . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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