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Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity
Published on: September 16, 2011
An Unusual IgE-Mediated Hypersensitivity: Two Case Reports of Paracetamol Allergy
Rita Limão1, Amélia Spínola Santos1, Maria Conceição Pereira Santos2
1Immunoallergology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, PRT.
Abstract:
Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used analgesic and antipyretic agents worldwide, attributed in part to its excellent safety profile when administered at recommended doses. Paracetamol allergy is not common, and the majority of the reactions are related to the pharmacological action of cyclooxygenase 1 inhibition. Selective and Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity reactions are rare. In this article, the authors report two cases of paracetamol allergy in which the mechanism of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity was demonstrated by positive skin tests and basophil activation tests. We highlight the relevance of identifying the mechanism underlying the reaction since patients with IgE-mediated paracetamol allergies will be able to tolerate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
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