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Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease
06:04

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease

Published on: February 9, 2016

Intestinal mucosal permeability of children with cefaclor-associated serum sickness-like reactions

Zhen Zhang1, Yun Xiang, Baoxiang Wang

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuhan Medical and Health Center for Women and Children, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 100 Xianggang Rd., Jiang An District, Wuhan, Hubei 430016, People's Republic of China.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|January 9, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Cefaclor may cause serum sickness-like reactions (SSLR) in children by increasing intestinal permeability. Measuring urinary lactulose/mannitol ratios and serum diamine oxidase levels can help predict or monitor SSLR in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Serum sickness-like reaction (SSLR) is a known adverse effect of cefaclor in children, but its mechanism is not fully understood.
  • Intestinal mucosal permeability is a potential factor influencing drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between intestinal mucosal permeability and cefaclor-associated SSLR in pediatric patients.
  • To evaluate the utility of urinary lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratios and serum diamine oxidase (DAO) levels in predicting or monitoring cefaclor-induced SSLR.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 82 pediatric patients treated with cefaclor and 30 healthy controls.
  • Measurement of urinary L/M ratios and serum DAO levels on specific days after cefaclor administration.
  • Patients were categorized into cefaclor-associated SSLR positive and negative groups.

Main Results:

  • Children with cefaclor-associated SSLR showed a significant increase in urinary L/M ratios from day 7 to 13.
  • Serum DAO levels were significantly elevated in the cefaclor SSLR positive group on days 9, 11, 13, and 15.
  • No significant changes in L/M ratios or DAO levels were observed in the SSLR negative group compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Cefaclor administration may induce SSLR in children by increasing intestinal mucosal permeability.
  • Urinary L/M ratios and serum DAO levels can serve as potential biomarkers for observing or predicting cefaclor-associated SSLR.
  • Physicians should exercise caution when prescribing cefaclor for pediatric patients due to the risk of SSLR.

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