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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

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Published on: May 31, 2021
Anaphylaxis to benzalkonium chloride-coated central venous catheter
Chih-Kai Shih1, Shu-Hung Huang, Cheng-Jing Tsai
1Department of Anesthesiology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is commonly used as a bactericidal preservative and it may cause allergic reactions in some patients. An unusual case of anaphylactic shock in a 55-year-old woman following insertion of a central venous catheter (CVC) that was coated with BAC is presented. Assuming anaphylactic shock from the CVC, the catheter was removed immediately. Standard resuscitation was started with 100% oxygen, epinephrine, and saline infusion. The patient recovered without any sequelae. One month later, an intradermal skin test was positive for BAC.
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