Case of Polyethylene Glycol Allergy Confirmed with Basophil Activation Test and Oral Challenge Successfully Immunized with SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

Polyethylene glycols (PEG) or macrogols are polymers of ethylene oxide widely used in drugs either as active substances or, more commonly, as excipients. We report a Caucasian 32-year-old woman with referred anaphylaxis almost instantly after oral intake of a macrogol-containing laxative. Despite a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maria Pasali, Styliani Taka, Caterina Chliva, Alexandros Katoulis, Michael Makris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2023-09-01
Series:Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3535
Description
Summary:Polyethylene glycols (PEG) or macrogols are polymers of ethylene oxide widely used in drugs either as active substances or, more commonly, as excipients. We report a Caucasian 32-year-old woman with referred anaphylaxis almost instantly after oral intake of a macrogol-containing laxative. Despite an anaphylactic reaction, the patient showed negative results for both the skin test and specific IgE to monomer, while the basophil activation test and oral challenge were positive. The patient was later successfully vaccinated with a polysorbate 80-containing SARS-CoV-2 vaccine following an additional work-up. As a result, the inactive form of PEG cannot be fully diagnosed, and it is considered a “hidden” allergen. Allergens like polysorbates need special consideration due to their possible cross-reactivity by their specific derivatives.
ISSN:1735-1502
1735-5249