[Reactions to vaccinations against tetanus and tick-borne encephalitis caused by merthiolate (thiomersal)]

Thirty patients with suspected adverse reactions to tetanus- or tick-borne encephalitis-vaccines were subjected to allergy tests. In 8 of 30 patients epicutaneous and/or intracutaneous tests with merthiolate were positive. Testing anorganic mercury, formaldehyde, aluminium hydroxide, gentamycin and egg white (i.c. and RAST), no positive reactions were found. After vaccination - prior to testing - merthiolate - positive patients had suffered from local inflammatory reactions at the injection site, fever and lymphadenopathy (four patients), urticarial (three patients) or lichenoid exanthemas (one patient). Reviewing the literature it is suggested that alternatively merthiolate-free vaccines be provided for sensitized individuals.