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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity
Published on: September 16, 2011
Patients with polyethylene glycol allergy can experience immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions after exposure to
Yosuke Yoshimoto1, Junichiro Tezuka2
1Allergy and Pulmonology, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan yosukeyoshimoto0407@yahoo.co.jp.
Abstract:
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) allergy has been recently observed after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. We present a case of a patient with a history of two hospitalisations for unexplained recurrence of immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis who was diagnosed with PEG allergy in early childhood. Subsequently, he was instructed to avoid using PEG-containing daily necessities and drugs. However, in middle childhood, he presented with immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions after taking PEG-free antibiotics. The prick test was positive for the whole drug but negative for its active ingredient. PEG can cross-react with compounds with a C-C-O skeleton as analogue substances; accordingly, the presence of a substance with a similar skeleton in the additive may have been the causative factor. Our findings indicate that patients with PEG allergy may experience immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions to analogue substances.
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