Allergic contact dermatitis to chlorhexidine-containing antiseptics and their excipients in children: A series of six cases.

Contact allergy to skin disinfectants is not often recognized in children. We report the cases of six children (1-16.5 years old) with allergic contact dermatitis to ingredients commonly contained in commercial antiseptic and cosmetic products. Patch test responses to chlorhexidine, benzyl alcohol, and benzalkonium chloride varied from one child to another one, but most children were sensitized to at least two components. In several of the cases, exposure had initially occurred in the neonatal period, but diagnosis occurred only after multiple reactions of increasing severity.

Diagnosis and management of drug-induced anaphylaxis in children: An EAACI position paper.

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) constitute a major and common public health problem, particularly in children. One of the most severe manifestations of DHR is anaphylaxis, which might be associated with a life-threatening risk. During those past decades, anaphylaxis has received particularly a lot of attention and international consensus guidelines have been recently published. Whilst drug-induced anaphylaxis is more commonly reported in adulthood, less is known about the role of drugs in pediatric anaphylaxis. Betalactam antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most commonly involved drugs, probably related to high prescription rates. Diagnosis relies on the recognition of symptoms pattern and is based on complete allergic workup, particularly including skin tests and/or specific IgE. However, the real diagnostic value of those tests to diagnose immediate reactions in children remains not well defined for a significant number of the drugs. Generally, a drug provocation test is discussed to confirm or exclude an immediate-onset drug-induced hypersensitivity. Although avoidance of the incriminated drug (and related drug) is the rule, rapid desensitization is useful in selected subgroups of patients. There is a need for large, multicentric studies, to evaluate the real diagnostic value of the currently available skin tests. Moreover there is also a need to develop new diagnostic tests in the future to improve the management of these children.

EAACI/ENDA Position Paper: Diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reactions to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in children and adolescents.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in the pediatric population as antipyretics/analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications. Hypersensitivity (HS) reactions to NSAID in this age group, while similar to adults, have unique diagnostic and management issues. Although slowly accumulating, published data in this age group are still relatively rare and lacking a unifying consensus. This work is a summary of current knowledge and consensus recommendations utilizing both published data and expert opinion from the European Network of Drug Allergy (ENDA) and the Drug Hypersensitivity interest group in the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). This position paper summarizes diagnostic and management guidelines for children and adolescents with NSAIDs hypersensitivity.

Beta-lactam hypersensitivity in children with cystic fibrosis: a study in a specialized pediatric center for cystic fibrosis and drug allergy.

BACKGROUND: Beta-lactam hypersensitivity (HS) is suspected in 5-12% of the children, but proven in only 10-15% of those children, based on skin and challenge tests results. In contrast, 30-60% of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are diagnosed allergic to beta-lactams, based mainly on the clinical history of the patients. OBJECTIVES: To confirm or rule out a suspected beta-lactam HS in CF children and to determine the prevalences of suspected and confirmed beta-lactam HS in those children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children with CF and suspected beta-lactam HS were explored by means of skin and challenge tests with the suspected and alternate beta-lactams. The results in CF children were compared with those reported in the literature in non- CF children. RESULTS: Eight of the 701 CF children followed in our center between 1990 and 2011 (1.14%), and 11 other children from other centers were explored for suspected beta-lactam HS. Beta-lactam HS was diagnosed in nine of these children (47.3%). Based on the results in the children followed in our center, the prevalence of beta-lactam HS was 0.71% (5/701) in CF children vs. a mean estimated prevalence of 1-1.5% in the general pediatric population. CONCLUSION: Our results contrast with those of most previous studies. Although half of the CF children with suspected beta-lactam HS were truly allergic to beta-lactams, the general prevalence of beta-lactam HS in CF children was very low. This may result from tolerance induced by frequent and/or prolonged treatments with beta-lactams.

A rare case of lysozyme-induced anaphylaxis in a child with egg allergy.

We report an unusual case of anaphylaxis induced by the lysozyme-containing over-the-counter-drug Lysopaine®, which contains 20 mg lysozyme hydrochloride and 1.5 mg cetylpyridinium chloride, in a 9-year-old child with allergy to hen's egg as well as multiple IgE-mediated food allergies. The involvement of lysozyme was confirmed by positive skin prick tests for Lysopaine® and the presence of specific IgE against lysozyme. Our case highlights the importance of properly educating allergic patients to recognize allergens, even minor ones. Despite the presence of lysozyme in various food and drug products, it is not necessarily perceived as an allergenic protein by patients with egg allergy, and the labeling may be misleading, thereby exposing patients to potentially severe reactions.

Intradermal Tests With Drugs: An Approach to Standardization.

Background: Intradermal tests (IDTs) are performed and interpreted differently in drug allergy centers making valid comparison of results difficult. Objective: To reduce method-related and intercenter variability of IDTs by the introduction of a standardized method. Materials and methods: In 11 centers of the European Network for Drug Allergy, IDTs were prospectively performed with saline and with amoxicillin (20 mg/ml) using (1) the local method and (2) the standardized European Network in Drug Allergy (ENDA) method (0.02 ml). The diameters of the initial injection wheal (Wi) for the different volumes and sites injected obtained from each center were analyzed. Results: The most reproducible method was to fill a syringe with test solution, then expel the excess fluid to obtain exactly 0.02 ml. The median Wi diameter with 0.02 ml injection using the standardized method was 5 mm [range 2-10 mm; interquartile range (IQR) 5-5 mm; n = 1,096] for saline and 5 mm (range 2-9 mm; IQR = 4.5-5 mm; n = 240) for amoxicillin. IDT injection sites did not affect the Wi diameter. Training improved precision and reduced the variability of Wi diameters. Conclusion: Using the standardized IDT method described in this multicenter study helped to reduce variability, enabling more reliable comparison of results between individuals and centers.

Management and successful desensitization in methotrexate-induced anaphylaxis.

Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions to methotrexate are rare. In patients with methotrexate-induced anaphylaxis, discontinuation of treatment may increase the risk of death due to cancer progression. In such patients, desensitization may enable the patient to continue treatment with methotrexate. We report the case of a child with metastatic osteosarcoma, who experienced an anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction to methotrexate. Skin tests with methotrexate were not performed because their diagnostic value is controversial. Desensitization with methotrexate was successful and allowed the patient to complete 12 additional courses of chemotherapy. Thus, we confirm that desensitization may be a safe procedure in patients with cancer who experience methotrexate-induced anaphylaxis.

Hypersensitivity to cyclooxygenase inhibitory drugs in children: a study of 164 cases.

Hypersensitivity to cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors is rare in children. We studied 164 children reporting 213 reactions to paracetamol, ibuprofen and/or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Most reactions were cutaneous, either isolated or associated with respiratory symptoms and/or anaphylaxis. Based on a convincing clinical history or positive responses in challenges with the drug(s), hypersensitivity to one or several drug(s) was diagnosed in 49.4% of the children (60, 76.5 and 23.2% of the children reporting reactions to ASA, ibuprofen and paracetamol respectively). Cross-reactivity between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was frequent (69.1%), but only 10.6% of the NSAID-sensitive children reacted to paracetamol. In contrast, all paracetamol-sensitive children reacted to NSAIDs. Anaphylaxis, immediate and accelerated reactions, atopy, older age and chronic/recurrent urticaria were risk factors for hypersensitivity and/or cross-reactivity between ASA, ibuprofen and paracetamol. In conclusion, hypersensitivity to COX inhibitors was frequent, especially in children reporting severe and/or immediate and accelerated reactions, and in older and atopic children. Cross-reactivity was frequent, suggesting that most reactions resulted from a non allergic hypersensitivity linked to the pharmacological properties of the drugs. However, in a few children, the reactions may result from allergic hypersensitivity to selective (families of) drugs, with tolerance to other drugs.

International Consensus (ICON): allergic reactions to vaccines.

BACKGROUND: Routine immunization, one of the most effective public health interventions, has effectively reduced death and morbidity due to a variety of infectious diseases. However, allergic reactions to vaccines occur very rarely and can be life threatening. Given the large numbers of vaccines administered worldwide, there is a need for an international consensus regarding the evaluation and management of allergic reactions to vaccines. METHODS: Following a review of the literature, and with the active participation of representatives from the World Allergy Organization (WAO), the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), the final committee was formed with the purpose of having members who represented a wide-range of countries, had previously worked on vaccine safety, and included both allergist/immunologists as well as vaccinologists. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on a variety of topics, including: definition of immediate allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, approaches to distinguish association from causality, approaches to patients with a history of an allergic reaction to a previous vaccine, and approaches to patients with a history of an allergic reaction to components of vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: This document provides comprehensive and internationally accepted guidelines and access to on-line documents to help practitioners around the world identify allergic reactions following immunization. It also provides a framework for the evaluation and further management of patients who present either following an allergic reaction to a vaccine or with a history of allergy to a component of vaccines.

Vaccine allergy and pseudo-allergy.

Allergic and pseudo-allergic reactions to vaccines frequently involve the skin, and can be generalized systemic symptoms (urticaria/angioedema, serum sickness, flares of eczema) or localized at the sites of vaccination (persistent nodules, abcesses, granulomas). Diagnosis of Arthus-type reactions is based on clinical history and specific IgM/IgG anti-toxoid determination. For other local reactions, diagnostic value of non-immediate responses in skin tests varies with clinical symptoms and substances involved. Immediate responses in skin tests and specific IgE determination have good diagnostic and/or predictive value in anaphylaxis and immediate/accelerated urticaria/angioedema to toxoid-, pneumococcus-, and egg- and gelatin-containing vaccines. Diagnosis of reactions to dextran in BCG is based on specific IgM/IgG determination. Most non-immediate generalized reactions result from non-specific inflammation, except for gelatin-containing vaccines, but the diagnostic value of immuno-allergological tests with the vaccines and gelatin are controversial. Withholding booster injections is advised if specific IgM/IgG levels are high. If the levels are low, sequential injections of vaccines containing a single vaccinating agent are usually tolerated. However, injections of the vaccine should be performed using a " desensitization " procedure in patients reporting anaphylaxis and immediate/accelerated urticaria/angioedema.

Vaccine allergy.

Overdiagnosis of vaccine allergy is considered a major public health problem. This article discusses the different types of allergic reactions after immunization based on the timing (immediate vs nonimmediate) and the extent of the reaction (local vs systemic). The vaccine components potentially responsible for an allergic reaction are discussed, as well as the management of patients with a history of reaction to a specific vaccine and those with a history of allergy to one of the vaccine components.