Basophil activation test in the diagnostic workup of perioperative anaphylaxis due to neuromuscular blocking agents: A case series and implications for practice.

In Australia, neuromuscular blocking agents are the leading cause of perioperative anaphylaxis. Current investigation of suspected anaphylaxis includes tryptase levels, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and skin testing, including intradermal testing and skin prick testing. The gold standard for the diagnosis of a hypersensitivity reaction is a challenge test, but this poses a risk to patient safety. An alternative test, known as the basophil activation test (BAT) is a form of cellular in vitro testing using flow cytometry to measure the degree of basophil degranulation within a sample of blood following exposure to an allergen. This acts as a surrogate marker for mast cell and basophil activation, thereby identifying IgE-mediated allergy. It is most commonly used to supplement equivocal findings from initial in vitro testing to assist in confirming the diagnosis of a hypersensitivity reaction and identify the causative agent. We present a case series in which five patients with suspected anaphylaxis underwent a BAT, demonstrating its role and limitations in allergy testing within Australia.

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity: incidence of abnormal liver function tests consistent with volatile anaesthetic hepatitis in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Volatile anaesthetic drug-induced liver injury can range from asymptomatic alanine transaminase elevations to fatal hepatic necrosis. There is very limited research regarding hepatotoxicity of modern volatile anaesthetic agents. The aim of this study was to determine how common liver injury consistent with volatile anaesthetic hepatitis is, following exposure to isoflurane, desflurane and sevoflurane; and to propose risk factors for its development. METHODS: Following ethics approval, we conducted a retrospective audit of adult trauma patients with abnormal liver biochemistry following volatile anaesthesia during January 1 to December 31, 2009. The data collected included patient demographics, volatile anaesthetic administration, concurrent medication, perioperative liver biochemistry results and comorbidities. The Council for International Organisations of Medical Sciences/Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method scoring system was used to group cases according to the likelihood of volatile anaesthetic being the causative agent of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. RESULTS: Forty-seven (3%) of 1556 patients had abnormal post-operative liver biochemistry potentially attributable to volatile anaesthetic. Of the 47, 12 patients (26%) had peak alanine transaminase levels greater than 200 U/L. No significant predictors of volatile anaesthetic drug-induced liver injury following isoflurane, desflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia could be identified. CONCLUSION: Volatile anaesthetic drug-induced liver injury in adult trauma patients may be significantly more common than previously noted. This study suggests that about a quarter of patients with volatile anaesthetic drug-induced liver injury develop significant liver injury. Further prospective studies are required to define risk factors and clinical outcomes.