Hypersensitivity Reactions to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs among Adults: Clinical Features and Risk Factors for Diagnosis Confirmation.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are among the most common causes of drug hypersensitivity (HS) reactions. The diagnosis is based on a careful clinical history, and provocation tests are considered the gold standard for diagnosis. Skin tests have some value to study reactions to pyrazolones. Laboratory investigations are mostly used for research purposes. Different phenotypes have been described. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: Our aim was to describe the most common clinical manifestations of NSAID HS in a large population of adult patients, the drugs involved, the association with previously described risk factors, and the outcome of diagnostic procedures. The classification of reactions proposed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Drug Allergy Interest Group was adopted. RESULTS: Acetylsalicylic acid was the drug most often involved in reactions (34%), isolated cutaneous symptoms were the most reported (60%), and immediate reactions (58%) were the most common. There was an overall female predominance (64%) and 35% of the patients were atopic. HS to NSAIDs was confirmed in 21% of the patients. The most common phenotypes encountered among HS patients were NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema and single-NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema or anaphylaxis. Logistic regression analysis showed that gender and atopy were not significant risk factors for HS confirmation, but diagnosis depended on the number of previous reactions, the type of reaction, and the time interval between drug intake and reaction. CONCLUSION: Only 21% of suspected HS reactions were confirmed after diagnostic workup. Patients describing >1 previous reaction and suffering immediate reactions had a higher probability of a positive investigation.

Nonpigmented fixed drug eruption induced by esomeprazole.

A 56-year-old white woman developed a distinctive skin eruption over her mammary, lumbosacral, and pubic areas 2 weeks after the start of esomeprazole therapy for dyspeptic symptoms. Skin biopsy disclosed a spongiotic dermatitis with predominantly lymphocytic dermal infiltrate. Treatment with a tapering dose of corticosteroid and withdrawal of the suspected drug led to a rapid resolution of the eruption without residual dyschromia. Patch testing with esomeprazole 2% in petrolatum was negative at 48 and 72 hours but became positive on day 6. Oral-controlled provocation test induced the reappearance of the lesions over the mammary areas, confirming the putative involvement of this drug. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed as having a nonpigmented fixed drug eruption associated with esomeprazole. This compound is a proton-pump inhibitor developed as the S-isomer of omeprazole to improve its pharmacokinetic properties. Reports of cutaneous reactions to proton-pump inhibitors are quite common, but reports of such reactions to esomeprazole are rare, which demonstrates the need for higher clinical awareness and knowledge of reactions to these drugs.

Should a patient with systemic mastocytosis be vaccinated against COVID-19? / Deve um doente com mastocitose sistêmica ser vacinado contra a COVID-19?

A 26-year-old woman was referred to the allergy department for two episodes of anaphylaxis after intake of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. In both episodes she was evaluated at the emergency department, and her levels of tryptase were 141 ug/L and 117 ug/L, respectively. Baseline tryptase was 92 ug/L. Bone marrow biopsy, myelogram, and immunophenotypic study were performed, confirming systemic mastocytosis. In patients with mast cell disorders, the risk of anaphylaxis after mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 has been under debate. Considering the occupational risk of COVID-19, the risk of anaphylaxis upon exposure to the vaccine was discussed with the patient and, after consent, Pfizer/BioNTech® BNT162B2 was administered under allergist supervision. No premedication was administered and both vaccine inoculations occurred without eliciting mast cell symptoms.

Mulher de 26 anos enviada à consulta de imunoalergologia após dois episódios de anafilaxia no contexto de ingestão de antiinflamatórios. Em ambos os episódios foi observada no Serviço de Urgência. Os valores de triptase nos episódios foram 141 ug/L e 117 ug/L, respetivamente. A triptase basal 92 ug/L. Realizou biópsia de medula óssea, mielograma e estudo imunofenotípico que confirmaram mastocitose sistêmica. Nos doentes com doença mastocitária, o risco de anafilaxia após administração de vacinas mRNA contra a COVID-19 tem sido debatido. Considerando o risco de exposição à COVID-19, o risco de anafilaxia após administração da vacina foi discutido com a doente e, após consentimento, a vacina Pfizer/BioNTech® BNT162B2 foi administrada sob vigilância de um alergologista. Não foi administrada pré-medicação, e a doente recebeu as duas doses da vacina sem evidenciar sintomatologia relacionada com ativação mastocitária.