[Sensitization to digoxin with demostration of reagini antibodies]

The author presents the case of a male patient, 60 years old, suffering a chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy with cor pulmonale in a state of cardiorespiratory insuffiency. Without any personal or familial history of allergy, a few minutes after the ingestion of .5mg of Digoxin a picture occurs of urticaria, angioneurotic edema and asthmatic crisis that disappears with sympatheticomimetics. No other medication was used, previously or at the time. The existence of reaginic antibodies is made evident with positive reactions to Digoxin and C Lanatosid in a Leftwich passive transference test and cutaneous tests. No alteration was found in the number of platelets and leucocytes nor in the percentage of eosinophils within 24 hours after the anaphylactic accident. The oral provocation test with the excipient of the commercial preparation was negative; the tolerance to Methyl-Digoxin complete. The literature referring to sensitization to digitalis glycosides is reviewed and some consideration is given to its mechanism.