Anaphylactic-like reaction to suxamethonium |
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| Authors: | ESK ASSEM PG FROST RD LEVIS |
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| Institution: | E.S.K. Assem, MBBCh, PhD, MRCP, FRCP (Ed), MRCPath, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, University College London, Honorary Consultant Physician, University College Hospital London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT.;P.G. Frost, MB, BChir, MSc, MRCPath, Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Central Middlesex Hospital, Acton Lane, London NW 10 7NS;R.D. Levis, MBBCh, BAO, FFARCS, Consultant Anaesthetist, Central Middlesex Hospital, Acton Lane, London NW10 7NS. |
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| Abstract: | A young woman developed an anaphylactic-type reaction during induction of anaesthesia, which was later shown to be due to suxamethonium, to which the patient had not been previously exposed. In vitro testing identified not only suxamethonium as the causative agent, but also other potentially hazardous agents, pharmacologically and chemically related to suxamethonium. Furthermore, 'unrelated' neuromuscular blocking drugs elicited no reaction from the patient's leucocytes, suggesting that in future anaesthesia these agents may be used with little risk. The leucocytes of the patient's parents and brother were also tested, the brother showing a minimal positive reaction. Skin testing confirmed the significance of the in vitro histamine release by the patient's leucocytes. |
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| Keywords: | Allergy Histamine |
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