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Case Reports
. 2016 Dec 13:12:67.
doi: 10.1186/s13223-016-0172-7. eCollection 2016.

Polyethylene glycol as a cause of anaphylaxis

Katharina Wylon  1 , Sabine Dölle  1 , Margitta Worm  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Polyethylene glycol as a cause of anaphylaxis

Katharina Wylon et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. .

Abstract

Background: Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) or macrogols are polyether compounds and are widely used as additives in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.

Case report: We report on a Caucasian patient experiencing recurrent severe allergic reactions to several drugs. An extensive diagnostic workup including skin prick tests, intradermal tests (IDT) and a double-blind oral challenge was performed to identify the trigger of anaphylaxis. In the present case hypersensitivity to the additive polyethylene glycol was confirmed by an IDT suggesting an Immunoglobulin E-dependent mechanism as a cause of the reaction.

Conclusion: Potential life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions to hidden molecules like macrogol may be underdiagnosed. Cases of immediate-type PEG hypersensitivity were reported with increasing frequency. The awareness regarding the allergenic potential of PEG should be raised and a proper product labelling is crucial to prevent PEG mediated hypersensitivity.

Keywords: Anaphylaxis; Drug additives; Hypersensitivity; Macrogol; Polyethylene glycol.

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