Successful mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination and Colonoscopy After Oral Desensitization in a Patient With Polyethylene Glycol Allergy

Anaphylaxis to polyethylene glycol (PEG) is rare and mainly occurs with the use of laxatives containing PEG. Recently, an increasing number of PEG allergies have been reported, particularly those related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, such as the BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccines, contain PEG2000 as an excipient and are contraindicated when allergy to a vaccine component exist. We report a 55-year-old woman’s history as a case of successful mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and colonoscopy after oral desensitization to PEG in a patient with PEG allergy who required both COVID-19 vaccination and colon evaluation. Allergy to PEG was diagnosed based on clinical history, skin test results, and basophil histamine release testing. Oral desensitization effectively suppressed histamine release from basophils in response to PEG stimulation, suggesting that oral desensitization using PEG-based laxatives may be an effective treatment option for patients with allergy to the substance.     

Causes and Diagnostic Usefulness of Tryptase Measurements for Anaphylaxis in a Korean Tertiary Care General Hospital

PurposeThe causes of anaphylaxis in a general hospital may differ from those occurring in a community setting. Underlying diseases in admitted patients and vague presenting symptoms can make the diagnosis of anaphylaxis difficult. Serum tryptase measurements may provide valuable evidence for diagnosing anaphylaxis in admitted patients.Materials and MethodsThis study was designed as a retrospective study of 53 patients with an anaphylaxis episode at a Korean tertiary care general hospital. Tryptase levels were measured at baseline and different time points from the onset of anaphylaxis.ResultsDrugs (42 cases; 79.2%) and foods (10 cases; 18.9%) were the most common causes of anaphylaxis. In drug-induced anaphylaxis, antibiotics (24.5%), anticancer medications, which included monoclonal antibodies (22.6%), and contrast agents (11.3%) were the most frequent causes. The muscle relaxant eperisone (5.7%), neuromuscular blocking agent rocuronium (5.7%), and its antagonist sugammadex (3.8%) were other frequent triggering agents. Wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis was the most common entity in food-induced anaphylaxis. Tryptase concentrations were higher in patients with higher grades of anaphylaxis, as well as in accidental anaphylaxis, compared to meticulously provoked anaphylaxis. Overall diagnostic sensitivity was higher for tryptase algorithm criteria (≥[1.2×baseline+2] µg/L: 71.4%) than for abnormal tryptase level criteria (≥11.4 µg/L: 52.8%).ConclusionThe triggers of anaphylaxis in a Korean tertiary care hospital were diverse, including beta-lactam antibiotics, anticancer medications, contrast medias, eperisone, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rocuronium, sugammadex, and wheat. Tryptase measurements provided valuable evidence for diagnosis, and the sensitivity of algorithm criteria was superior to that of the abnormal value criteria.     

Tryptase genetics and anaphylaxis

Tryptases secreted by tissue mast cells and basophils can enter the bloodstream. In human subjects tryptases are encoded by several genes and alleles, including alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Common variations include complete absence of alpha genes. Until recently, alpha tryptase was considered to be the major tryptase secreted at baseline and in mastocytosis. However, lack of alpha tryptase genes has little effect on circulating tryptase levels, which are now thought mainly to consist of inactive pro-beta tryptase secreted constitutively rather than stored in granules with mature tryptases. Pro-beta tryptase levels thus might reflect total body mast cell content. In contrast, mature beta tryptase can increase transiently in severe systemic anaphylaxis and confirm the diagnosis. However, it might fail to increase in food anaphylaxis or might increase nonspecifically in samples acquired after death. Thus pro- and mature beta tryptase measurements are useful but associated with false-negative and false-positive results, which need to be considered in drawing clinical conclusions in cases of suspected anaphylaxis.     

肌氨肽苷和门冬氨酸钾镁联合使用致迟发型过敏反应1例

1例56岁男性行冠状动脉搭桥手术后患者．因心前区疼痛24小时入院,连续6天静脉滴注5％的葡萄糖250ml,肌氨肽苷20ml．门冬氨酸钾镁2g,1次／日．未观察到不良反应。患者于第7天滴注同组液体．从输液开始后约30min．自觉双上肢疼痛,继之出现寒颤、头痛,测血压160／100mmHg．立即停止输该液体。给予吸氧．苯海拉明肌注．并用250ml生理盐水注射液建立静脉通道．地塞米松入壶。15min后患者肢体疼痛、寒颤、头痛等症状逐渐缓解,但体温上升至39℃,给予赖氨匹林肌注．体温降至正常。15小时后．患者再次出现寒颤,伴胸闷,体温上升至39.2℃,血压160／100mmHg．呼吸困难,口唇发绀,两肺呼吸音粗,未闻及湿啰音。给予心电监护．血氧饱和度90～95％。给予面罩吸氧,氨茶碱静点．赖氨匹林肌注．症状较前减轻。密切观察1天后．未再有胸闷气短发作。     

维通静脉注射乳安全性研究

目的：对维通静脉注射乳（WIE）进行安全性检查。方法用豚鼠进行过敏性实验,用小鼠进异常毒性实验,用家兔进行刺激性和溶血性实验研究维通静脉注射乳安全性。结果 WIE未引起豚鼠的变态反应,未引起家兔血红细胞溶血性反应,未引起小鼠异常毒性反应。结论本方法生产的维通静脉注射液性质安全,具有一定的应用价值。     

Anaphylaxis during pregnancy

Anaphylaxis during pregnancy, labor, and delivery can be catastrophic for the mother and, especially, the infant. Symptoms and signs can include intense vulvar and vaginal itching, low back pain, uterine cramps, fetal distress, and preterm labor. During the first 3 trimesters, etiologies are similar to those in nonpregnant women. During labor and delivery, common etiologies are β-lactam antibiotics, natural rubber latex, and other agents used in medical and perioperative settings. Important caveats in management include injecting epinephrine (adrenaline) promptly, providing high-flow supplemental oxygen, positioning the mother on her left side to improve venous return to the heart, maintaining a minimum maternal systolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg to ensure adequate placental perfusion, and continuous electronic monitoring. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cesarean delivery should be performed when indicated. In all women of child-bearing age, allergy/immunology specialists can help to prevent anaphylaxis in pregnancy through prepregnancy risk assessment and risk reduction strategies, such as confirming the etiology of systemic allergic reactions, providing written instructions for allergen avoidance, and initiating relevant immune modulation. In pregnant women the benefits versus risks of skin tests, challenge tests, desensitization, and initiation of immunotherapy with allergens should be carefully weighed; if possible, these procedures should be deferred until after parturition. Prospective interdisciplinary studies of anaphylaxis during pregnancy are needed.