serum disease
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A delayed allergic reaction that occurs following the injection of an antiserum or other foreign serum. It is caused by an immune response where the recipient's antibodies react to antigens present in the donor serum.
Usage
This is a medical term used specifically to describe a type of hypersensitivity reaction. * The patient developed serum disease one week after receiving the antitoxin. * Symptoms of serum disease can include fever, rash, and joint pain.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in a historical or specific clinical context, as modern medical practices have reduced its incidence.
- It is sometimes discussed in contrast to immediate anaphylactic reactions, emphasizing its delayed onset.
Variants and Related Words
- Serum sickness: This is a synonymous term. "Serum sickness" is often used interchangeably with "serum disease."
- Serum sickness-like reaction: A similar clinical presentation that may be triggered by non-protein drugs, distinct from a true immune complex-mediated serum disease.
Synonyms
- Serum sickness
Related Medical Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)
- Hypersensitivity reaction: The broader category of immune overreactions.
- Immune complex disease: Refers to the pathological mechanism, where antigen-antibody complexes deposit in tissues.
- Type III hypersensitivity: The immunological classification for this kind of reaction.
Noun
- a delayed allergic reaction to the injection of an antiserum caused by an antibody reaction to an antigen in the donor serum