Serum sickness-like reaction associated with cefazolin

Abstract

Background: Although rare, serum sickness-like reactions have been documented to occur following the administration of many antibiotics. Cefazolin, a first generation cephalosporin, is a commonly prescribed antibiotic which is considered to be generally safe and well tolerated. There have been no prior reports linking this drug with sickness-like reactions. We report a probable case of serum sickness-like reaction following a single dose of cefazolin.

Serum sickness‐like drug reaction: two cases with a neutrophilic urticarial pattern

“…There are only five previous reports describing the histopathology of SSLR. While bupropion and cefazolin are well‐documented culprits of SSLR, this is the first case series to describe their histopathologic findings . Existing descriptions of biopsy findings in SSLR appear relatively non‐specific, but fall within the spectrum of urticarial dermatoses.…”

Serum sickness-like reaction after the treatment of cellulitis with amoxicillin/clavulanate

“…Serum sickness-like reaction is clinically similar to serum sickness, but the pathophysiology is different 7. Serum sickness is a type III hypersensitivity reaction with deposition of immune complexes in tissues triggering an inflammatory response 8.…”

Serum Sickness–Like Reaction in Children Due to Cefditoren

“…The pathophysiology of SSLR is not clear. There are many reported cases of SSLR after using cefaclor (1), but a paucity of reports of SSLR to other cephalosporins (2–4). There have been no prior reports linking cefditoren with sickness‐like reactions.…”

“…The most common causes of SSLR are drugs, including antibiotics (especially beta‐lactams), anticancer agents, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antidysrhythmics, antihypertensives, and antiinflammatory agents, and infections. Reports in the literature have implicated several cephalosporins, including cefprozil, cefazolin, cefuroxime, and ceftriaxone (1–4), but cefaclor is the agent most commonly linked to SSLR. To our knowledge, there have been no prior reports linking cefditoren with SSLR.…”

“…Fever, malaise, myalgia, lymphadenopathy, and symmetric arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal and knee joints are the most frequent extracutaneous features of the disease. Neurologic involvement, gastrointestinal symptoms, and renal complications can also be seen (2,3). Our patient also had characteristic skin lesions and arthritis.…”