Caracterización de los casos de accidente ofídico atendidos por el Centro de Información y Estudio de Medicamentos y Tóxicos (CIEMTO) de Medellín, Colombia durante 2016 / Characterization of snakebite cases attended by the drug and poison research and information center ( CIEMTO) in Medellin, Colombia during 2016

RESUMEN Introducción: Las mordeduras de serpiente continúan siendo un problema de salud pública, especialmente en países tropicales como Colombia. Objetivo: Caracterizar los casos de accidente ofídico atendidos en un nuevo centro de asesoría toxicológica de Medellín, Colombia. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, revisando la base de datos donde se registra la información relacionada con la asesoría brindada por dicho centro desde el 1 de enero hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2016. Resultados: Se registraron 117 casos de accidente ofídico, de los cuales 93 (79%) eran hombres y 24 (21%) mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 32 años (rango: 2 a 82 años). El seguimiento de los casos pudo lograse en 55 de los 117 accidentes (47%), y se describieron complicaciones en 18 de los 55 (33%) pacientes. La complicación descrita con mayor frecuencia fue brote maculopapular pruriginoso asociado con la administración del suero, sin que se identificaran diferencias entre las distintas marcas de suero antiofídico utilizado. Se documentó la muerte de un paciente (0,85%). El género Bothrops produjo la mayoría de los accidentes. Discusión: Los datos obtenidos coinciden con la bibliografía publicada.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Snakebites continue to be a public health problem, especially in tropical countries like Colombia. Objetive: To characterize the snakebite cases attended by a new poison center in Medellin, Colombia. Methodology: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out, reviewing the information of the Center's database from January 1st to December 31st, 2016. Results: There were 117 cases of ophidian accidents, affecting 93 men (79%) and 24 women (21%), with a median age of 32 years (range: 2 to 82 years). The follow-up of the cases could be done in 55 of the 117 accidents (47%), and complications were described in 18 of those 55 (33%) patients. The most commonly reported complication was a pruritic maculopapular rash that was associated to serum administration, without differences between the several brands of anti-ophidian serum used. The death of one patient (0.85%) was documented. The genus Bothrops caused most of the accidents. Discussion: Our results agree with previously published data.

Serum sickness reaction with skin involvement induced by bee venom injection therapy

Bee venom injection therapy is an alternative treatment sometimes used for chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, to reduce pain. Several chemical components of bee venom have anti-inflammatory effects, and apitoxin, one of the mixed components, has been used for pain prevention therapy. However, there have been no large-scale investigations regarding the efficacy or side effects or apitoxin. In this study, a case of serum sickness reaction that developed after receiving bee venom injection therapy is reported.

Enfermedad del suero secundaria al uso de rituximab en pacientes con síndrome de Sjõgren primario / Secondary serum sickness to the use of rituximab in patients with primary Sjõgren's syndrome

La enfermedad del suero constituye un síndrome clínico causado por la formación de complejos inmunes que generan una reacción de hipersensibilidad, con manifestaciones clínicas típicas de erupción cutánea, artritis, y fiebre que inician de 1 a 3 semanas después de la administración de un fármaco y suelen desaparecer al cabo de varios días de interrumpir la administración del agente causal, pudiendo persistir durante intervalos mayores, especialmente cuando son fármacos de acción prolongada o retardada. Se describe el caso de una paciente con síndrome de Sjõgren primario que presentó enfermedad del suero secundaria al uso de rituximab.

Serum sickness is a clinical syndrome caused by the formation of immune complexes that generate a hypersensitivity reaction. Typical manifestations are rashes, arthritis, and fever beginning within3 weeks after administration of a drug and usually disappear several days after the suppression of the causative agent, although theymight persist for longer periods, especially with long-acting drugs. We describe the case of a female patient with primary Sjogren'ssyndrome who presented secondary serum sickness after usingrituximab.

Optimal Dose of Antivenin for Asymptomatic or Minor Envenomation Patient with Korean Viperidae Injuries

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of our antivenin treatment protocol for patients with Korean Viperidae envenomation. METHODS: We developed an antivenin treatment protocol for Korean Viperidae envenomation, based on previous data, and applied this treatment to the enrolled patients. In brief, antivenin was not used for patients with grade 0. Patients with grade I and II received one vial of antivenin. Those with grade III and IV received two and three vials of antivenin, respectively. Adult patients who visited the emergency department (ED) after receiving a snakebite between July 2008 to August 2010 were included. Follow ups were performed at 24 hours, 7 days, and 28 days after the snakebite. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were enrolled. At the initial evaluation, 6 patients (9.7%) were grade 0, 47 patients (75.8%) were grade I, and 9 patients (14.5%) were grade II. Upon the follow-up evaluation, 14 patients (29.8%) progressed from grade I to grade II and 2 patients (22.2%) progressed from grade II to III. Coagulopathy developed in 5 patients (8.0%) and rhabdomyolysis in 5 patients (8.0%). Urticaria developed in 2 patients (3.2%) and cellulitis in 3 patients (4.8%) as delayed complications. As an antivenin-related complication, serum sickness developed in only 1 patient (1.6%). There were no severe complications and all clinical and laboratory abnormalities disappeared within 28 days. CONCLUSION: Our antivenin treatment protocol was feasible and safe. To confirm our data, multicenter validation studies are needed.

Enfermedad del suero / Serum sickness

La enfermedad del suero es una enfermedad alérgica rara que se produce por la administración de material antigénico exógeno. Históricamente causada por suero heterólogo; corresponde a una reacción de hipersensibilidad tipo III mediada por depósitos de complejos inmunes circulantes en los pequeños vasos sanguíneos, la cual induce la activación del complemento y subsecuente inflamación. Las características clínicas son fiebre, erupción cutánea, artralgias y linfadenopatías, pudiendo llegar a producir glomerulonefritis o compromiso de otro órgano. Presentamos el caso de un paciente que desarrolló enfermedad del suero posterior a la administración de suero antiofídico.

Serum sickness is a rare allergic disease, produced by the administration of exogenous antigenic material. Historically caused by heterologous serum, it corresponds to a type III hypersensitivity reaction mediated by deposits of circulating immune complexes in small blood vessels, which induces complement activation and subsequent inflammation. Clinical features are fever, rash, arthralgia and lymphadenopathy; this pathology may lead to glomerulonephritis or other organ involvement. We report a patient who developed serum sickness after antivenom administration.

extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B Virus [HBV] leads to a number of hepatic complications, from acute to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is a well-established fact. Upcoming clinical research, over the years, associates numerous extrahepatic manifestations during the acute and chronic episodes of hepatitis B with significant morbidity and mortality. A causal relationship between HBV and serious autoimmune disorders has also been observed among certain susceptible vaccine recipients in a defined temporal period following immunization. The cause of these extrahepatic manifestations is generally believed to be immune mediated. The most commonly described include skin rash, arthritis, arthralgia, glomerulonephritis, polyarteritis nodosa, and papular acrodermatitis etc. The serum-sickness like "arthritis-dermatitis" prodrome has also been observed in approximately one-third of patients acquiring HBV infections. Skin manifestations of HBV infection typically present as palpable purpura reported to be caused by chronic HBV, although this association remains controversial. To consider the relationship between HBV and other clinically significant disorders as well as serious autoimmune disorders among certain vaccine recipients is the topic of this review. Variable factors that influence extrahepatic manifestation are discussed, including possible synergy between hepatitis B virus and the immune system

Cutaneous finding in anti thymocyte globulin induced serum sickness

Polyclonal anti-thymocyte globulin [ATG] is used as an immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of aplastic anemia [AA]. Serum sickness is a recognized side effect of ATG. We observed abnormal skin manifestation in patient with aplastic anemia who had been treated with ATG. We conclude that abnormal immune function caused by aplastic anemia and ATG and corticosteroids may aggravate the signs of serum sickness

Therapeutic effect of antithymocyte/antilymphocyte globulin on severe aplastic anemia and therapy-related complications / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Immunsuppressive therapy is a major therapy for severe aplastic anemia, and antithymocyte /antilymphocyte globulin (ATG/ALG) is usually used. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of ATG/ALG on severe aplastic anemia and explored the management of therapy-related complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 28 children with severe aplastic anemia who received ATG/ALG treatment from December, 1994 through to September, 2005 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 28 patients, 2 were nearly cured (7.1%), 4 were relieved (14.3%) and 12 were improved (42.9%) based on a hemoglobin/white blood cell/platelet count. These results represented an overall effective rate of 64.3%. Clinical evidence of serum sickness developed in 19 patients, manifesting as fever (n = 9), cutaneous eruptions (n = 12), arthralgias (n = 7), myalgia (n = 7) and arthrocele (n = 3). Serum sickness occurred 5-17 days after ATG/ALG administration and lasted for 1-15 days (mean 4.4 days). Three children with mild serum sickness symptoms recovered without any treatment. The symptoms of the other 16 patients disappeared after 3-5 days of methylprednisolone treatment (10 mg/kg daily). However, 3 patients had relapses at 2-4 days after termination of methylprednisolone therapy. Another course of methylprednisolone therapy was administered to the 3 patients until the symptoms disappeared. The patients with no serum sickness or with mild serum sickness had a better response to ATG/ALG therapy than those who had severe serum sickness (100% vs 60%; P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ATG/ALG therapy for severe aplastic anemia is effective. Serum sickness is a common complication in children with severe aplastic anemia following ATG/ALG therapy, but can be improved by methylprednisolone application.</p>

Serum sickness and hepatitis B vaccine including review of the literature.

HB vaccine is one of the most widely administered vaccines in the world. Its efficacy approaches 95 per cent. The majority of adverse reactions are generally mild, although there have been individual case reports of serious reactions since the vaccine has become commercially available. Here, a patient with a serum sickness-like reaction after her second HB immunization is reported. Review of the literature for reports of serious adverse reactions to the vaccine was also carried out.

Exantemas febriles no infecciosos / Non infectious febrile rash

Exantema es una erupción de la piel con lesiones de distinto tipo, configuración y disposición. El diagnóstico diferencial para pacientes febriles con exantema es extenso. Las posibles causas son enfermedades infecciosas, drogas, enfermedades dermatológicas, inmunológicas y/o neoplásicas. Una historia detallada y un examen físico cuidadoso pueden ser esenciales para hacer un diagnóstico correcto. La historia debe incluir el sitio de comienzo, porcentaje y dirección de extensión, presencia o ausencia de prurito y relación temporal con la fiebre. En este artículo se revisarán diagnósticos no infecciosos de exantemas febriles

A case of angioedema associated with eosinophilia induced by bee sting / 천식및알레르기

There have been few reports of manifestations such as vasculitis, nephrosis, neuritis, encephalitis, and serum sickness occuring in a temporal relation to insect stings. Symptoms usually start several days to several weeks after the sting and may last for a long time. Angioedema with eosinophilia induced by bee sting has not reported in medical literature. We report a case of eosinophilia with angioedema induced by bee venom in a 30-year-old woman whom presented with edema of extremities and peripheral blood eosinophilia. The patient had high titer of specific IgE to yellow jacket venom.

A case of serum sickness reaction after multiple bee-stings / 대한내과학회지

Anaphylaxis is the most common systemic allergic reaction caused by bee stings. Delayed-type allergic reactions, including serum sickness, occur much less frequently. We report a 27-year-old man who developed serum sickness reaction nine days after multiple bee-stings. He had complained of erythematous skin rash, fever, arthralgia, myalgia and proteinuria. High specific IgE to bee venoms (honeybee, yellow jacket, yellow hornet) were observed by CAP system and C3, C4 and circulating immune complex levels measured by C1q binding assay showed normal values. We report a case of serum sickness reaction caused by multiple bee stings.

El sistema del complemento sérico, parte II: patología del complemento / Serum complement system, part II: pathology of the complement

Al hablar de los aspectos relacionados a la patología del complemento, se hace relación a las deficiencias congénitas, descritas para todos los componentes aislados, pero destacando la mayor frecuencia de la deficiencia congénita de C2. También se menciona la asociación de enfermedades por autoinmunidad con el déficit de los componentes de la vía clásica (C1, C4 y C2), la infección severa y recurrente con el déficit de C3, el angioedema hereditario y deficiencia de C1INH, según sea el sector bloqueado o afectado. Entre los defectos adquiridos se mencionan la relación con diversos grupos de enfermedades como las colageno-vasculares (enfermedad del suero, lupus eritematoso sistémico y artritis reumatoide). En la patología renal se revisa su responsabilidad en las glomerulonefritis agudas, lupus, glomerulonefritis membranoproliferativa y síndrome nefrótico. Finalmente, se menciona la participación del complemento en ciertas hemopatías: anemias y trombocitopenias inmunes y la hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna

Antilymphocyte Globulin Therapy for Aplastic Anemia in Children

Immunosuppressive therapy based on the use of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) has become standard therapy for patients with splastic anemia who are not eligible for bone marrow transplantation. In this study, T cell subsets before and after ALG therapy, hematologic responses, complications and prognostic factors were analysed. Eleven (42%) out of twenty-six patients treated with ALG showed response, but two patients showed relapse. Most of the response (9 cases) was noticed within 6 months after the initiation of ALG therapy (median: 3 months). The main complications of ALG therapy were fever (91%), thrombocytopenia (86%), neutropenia (63%), and serum sickness (56%). Four patients were died just ALG therapy because of serum sickness (2 cases), intracranial hemorrhage (1 case), and shock (1 case). Short interval from diagnosis to treatment suggested to show good response (P=0.0575), but it was not significant statistically. Lymphocyte subsets were measured in the blood of 23 patients. Helper T/suppressor T cell ratio (T4/T8 ratio) at the initiation of ALG therapy (day 0) was higher significantly in patients who were responded (P=0.0299). The patients who showed above 1.0 of T4/T8 ratio on day 0 might be speculated good response (P=0.032). More difference of T4/T8 ratio between day 14 after ALG therapy and day 0 might show good response (P=0.0673). Then the actuarial probability of survival at 3 years in patients treated with ALG was 77%. Our data suggest that ALG therapy may be used as an alternative treatment to bone marrow transplantation, and T4/T8 ration of peripheral blood at the initiation of therapy may be used as one of the prognostic factors.