Serum sickness associated with cefoxitin and pentoxifylline therapy

Human serum sickness is a syndrome characterized by fever, malaise, skin rashes, arthralgias, gastrointestinal disturbances, and lymphadenopathy. It is believed to be mediated by circulating immune complexes composed of a foreign antigen and host antibody. Several cephalosporins have been associated with serum sickness. We report the occurrence of serum sickness in a patient who received cefoxitin, a commonly used cephamycin antibiotic, and pentoxifylline, a xanthine derivative that improves the flow properties of blood by decreasing its viscosity. Serum sickness has not been previously reported with the use of cefoxitin or pentoxifylline.