Inhibition of polyethylene glycol–induced histamine release by monomeric ethylene and diethylene glycol: A case of probable polyethylene glycol allergy

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2013-05, Vol.131 (5), p.1425-1427
• Main Authors: Wenande, Emily Cathrine, BSc, Skov, Per Stahl, MD, DMSc, Mosbech, Holger, MD, DMSc, Poulsen, Lars K., DMSc, Garvey, Lene H., MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Allergies; Allergy and Immunology; Aqueous solutions; Ethylene Glycols - immunology; Ethylene Glycols - pharmacology; Ethylenes - immunology; Ethylenes - pharmacology; Female; Histamine Release - drug effects; Histamine Release - immunology; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate - diagnosis; Hypersensitivity, Immediate - immunology; Molecular weight; Polyethylene glycol; Polyethylene Glycols - adverse effects; Product testing
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.09.037

[...]inhibition of direct HR was completed by preincubation of patient blood with monomeric and dimeric fractions of PEG (ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol) at a concentration of 2%. PEG-containing products the patient had been exposed to, pure PEG solutions of 2 molecular weights (PEG 3550 and PEG 6000), and the monomer and dimer fractions of PEG were investigated in SPT (Table I) and HR testing (Fig 1). Because of the severity of the patient's reactions, provocation and intradermal tests were deemed too hazardous, as systemic reactions have been reported following similar testing.6,7 Steroid-based products not containing PEG were negative in SPT, the HR test, and provocation, ruling out allergy to steroids.