Serum-Sickness-Like Reaction Associated with Minocycline Therapy in Adolescents

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

TO describe a serum-sickness-like reaction in five adolescents treated with minocycline.

CASE SUMMARY:

Five adolescents developed a rash and arthralgias/arthritis after taking minocycline for 10-30 days. Symptoms resolved gradually after the medication was stopped.

DISCUSSION:

Serum sickness is not described in the pharmacology literature as an adverse effect of minocycline, and in the English literature there are only two case reports. The migration inhibitory factor assay and mast cell degranulation test were positive in four of the five patients. The results of these assays were consistent with a role for minocycline in causing these reactions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of serum-sickness-like reaction as an adverse effect of minocycline.