Arthus reaction

In immunology, the Arthus reaction is a kind of local allergic reaction, when antibodies react to a chemical or protein in a person's blood, and have the antibodies get stuck in the walls of blood vessels in organs such as the heart, in joints, and kidneys.

History
The Arthus reaction was discovered by Nicolas Maurice Arthus in 1903.Injections répétées de serum du cheval chez le lapin,  Comptes rendus des séances de la Société de biologie et de ses filiales, Paris, 55 (1903),  817–820. Arthus repeatedly injected ingredients of horse blood under the skin of rabbits. After four injections, he found that there was swelling and that the mixture was absorbed slowly.  Further injections eventually led to dying of cells.

Arthus reactions have been infrequently reported after diphtheria and tetanus toxoid vaccinations. They are rare and can cause pain, swelling, bleeding, and occasionally death of tissue within 4–12 hours after the vaccine is given.Preventing Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Among Adolescents: Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccines, K. R. Broder et al., MMWR Recommendations and Reports, March 24, 2006 / 55(RR03), 1–34, page 18.

Related pages
 Serum sickness

References

Category:Immunology