Anaphylactic shock caused by haemocoagulase injection in China

Haemocoagulase injection is a mixture of purified enzymes isolated from the venom of Bothrops atrox, which is used for the prevention and treatment of haemorrhage. It is a relatively safe pharmacological agent that does not require a skin test prior to administration. However, following a literature search, 14 reported cases of anaphylactic shock caused by haemocoagulase injection were identified, including one lethal case in China. Using SDS-PAGE and protein identification, four primary components in haemocoagulase injection were characterized, including one metalloproteinase, which may be a thromboplastin-like enzyme, and two serine proteinases, which may be thrombin-like enzymes. Administering concentrated haemocoagulase injections failed to provoke a positive skin reaction in allergic patients. Basophil activation tests revealed that haemocoagulase injections did not upregulate cluster of differentiation 63 or C-C chemokine receptor type 3 expression. These findings suggest that haemocoagulase injection may cause fetal anaphylaxis. Although it is difficult to determine a clear conclusion without being able to evaluate the patients that underwent haemocoagulase injection-induced shock, it is unlikely that the venomous components of haemocoagulase injection cross-react with common allergens in allergic patients. It is possible that haemocoagulase injection-induced anaphylaxis is caused by its additive components, such as mannitol and succinylated gelatin.