Drug Allergies Flashcards
What is a Macule?
How is it different from a Patch?
A flat area of altered colour, < 1 cm.
A patch is > 1 cm.
What is a Papule?
How is it different from a Nodule?
Papule: elevated solid lesion, < 1 cm.
A nodule is > 1 cm.
(not liquid filled).
What is does a plaque look like?
Elevated, flat topped, irregular border >1 cm.
What are vesicles?
How do they differ from Bulla?
Vesicles: clear, fluid filled blisters, < 0.5 cm.
Bulla are > 0.5 cm.
What is a pustule?
A vesicle filled with purulent exudate (pus).
What is a wheal?
An accumulation of dermal fluid (hives - elevated).
What is the time-frame for an immediate reaction?
What type could it be?
0-1h (varies, 30m-2h). Type 1 (severe) or possibly non-immunologic (e.g. red man syndrome)
What is the time-frame for an accelerated allergic reaction?
What type could it be?
2-72h
Could be any type.
What is the time-frame for a late allergic reaction?
What type could it be?
> 72h
Could be any type but RARELY type 1 (anaphylaxis rarely occurs after 72h)
What are Type I reactions (anaphylaxis) mediated by?
IgE antibodies.
Describe how Type I reactions occur.
Initial exposure to antigen results in IgE Ab production. Re-exposure after several weeks causes drug + carrier protein to react with IgE Ab on the surface of mast cells, resulting in mediator release.
What are the symptoms of a Type I reaction (anaphylaxis)?
Urticaria, laryngeal edema, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis.
What are Type II (cytotoxic) reactions mediated by?
IgG or IgM antibodies
What are some examples of Type II (cytotoxic) reactions?
Hemolytic anemia
Thrombocytopenia
Granulocytopenia
are Type II reactions
What are the 3 types of Type II (cytotoxic) reactions?
Hapten-cell reaction
Immune complex reaction
Autoimmune reaction
How are Type III immune complex reactions mediated?
IgG or IgM antibodies.
They form circulating complexes then lodge in tissues.
What is another name for Type III reactions?
“Arthus Reaction” or Serum Sickness hypersensitivity reactions
When do Type III reactions generally occur?
What are they a reaction to?
5-21 days after exposure.
An allergic reaction to antibiotics
(e.g. cefaclor is 15x more likely to cause Serum Sickness than amoxicillin)
How do Type III reactions differ from Type II?
Type III are non-hematologic.
What are Type III reactions characterized by?
Fever
Arthralgias (joint pain)
Skin rash
Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
When do Type II (cytotoxic) reactions generally occur?
7 days after exposure.
What cells do Type IV reactions involve?
What are they NOT mediated by?
Activation of T cells; and may involve macrophages, eosinophils, or neutrophils as well.
They are not mediated by antibodies.
When do Type IV reactions generally occur?
Delayed - after 3 days.
How many Type IV subtypes are there?
4 subtypes
What is activated in Type IVa reactions?
What is secreted?
Type IVa:
Activation of macrophages.
Secretion of INF gamme, TNF-alpha, and IL-18.
What is an example of Type IVa reactions?
Some forms of contact dermatitis (cheap jewelry, perfumes)
What is secreted in Type IVb reactions? What does this promote?
Type IVb:
Secretion of cytokines IL-4, -5, -13.
Promotes B-cell production of IgE and IgG4, macrophage, mast cell, and eosinophil responses.
What condition is Type IVb involved in?
Involved in bronchi of patients with Allergic Asthma.