A Nakonechna1, P Dore1, T Dixon2, S Khan3, S Deacock3, S Holding1, M Abuzakouk4. 1. Department of Immunology, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Hospital Trust, UK. 2. Allergy Clinic, Liverpool Royal and Broadgreen University NHS Trust Hospital, UK. 3. Department of Immunology, Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK. 4. Department of Immunology, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Hospital Trust, UK. Electronic address: abuzakm@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine is widely used as an antiseptic agent. It is a potentially allergenic substance that can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. OBJECTIVE: We describe six patients who had anaphylactic reactions attributed to chlorhexidine during surgery. These patients were exposed to chlorhexidine in gels, swabs and catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients from three UK centres with clinical history suggestive of anaphylaxis during surgery are reported. Detailed history, review of case notes, determination of chlorhexidine specific IgE, mast cell tryptase and skin tests were performed. RESULTS: On detailed assessment five of six patients demonstrated a previous history of reactions on re-exposure to chlorhexidine. All six patients had elevated specific IgE to chlorhexidine. Skin prick test with chlorhexidine was performed in four of the six patients and was found to be positive. CONCLUSION: Immediate hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine appears to be common but underreported in the UK. We recommend that centres investigating patients with reactions during anaesthesia and surgery should routinely include testing for chlorhexidine allergy.
BACKGROUND:Chlorhexidine is widely used as an antiseptic agent. It is a potentially allergenic substance that can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. OBJECTIVE: We describe six patients who had anaphylactic reactions attributed to chlorhexidine during surgery. These patients were exposed to chlorhexidine in gels, swabs and catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients from three UK centres with clinical history suggestive of anaphylaxis during surgery are reported. Detailed history, review of case notes, determination of chlorhexidine specific IgE, mast cell tryptase and skin tests were performed. RESULTS: On detailed assessment five of six patients demonstrated a previous history of reactions on re-exposure to chlorhexidine. All six patients had elevated specific IgE to chlorhexidine. Skin prick test with chlorhexidine was performed in four of the six patients and was found to be positive. CONCLUSION: Immediate hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine appears to be common but underreported in the UK. We recommend that centres investigating patients with reactions during anaesthesia and surgery should routinely include testing for chlorhexidineallergy.
Authors: H P Loveday; J A Wilson; R J Pratt; M Golsorkhi; A Tingle; A Bak; J Browne; J Prieto; M Wilcox Journal: J Hosp Infect Date: 2014-01 Impact factor: 3.926
Authors: Ana Paula Teixeira de Abreu; Leonardo Ramos Ribeiro de Oliveira; Ana Flavia Teixeira de Abreu; Evandro Ribeiro de Oliveira; Michele Santos de Melo Ireno; Fernando Monteiro Aarestrup; Matheus Fonseca Aarestrup; Paula Fonseca Aarestrup Journal: Case Rep Otolaryngol Date: 2017-03-19