An avoidable cause of thymoglobulin anaphylaxis

• Published in: Allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 13
• Main Authors: Brabant, S., Facon, A., Provôt, F., Labalette, M., Wallaert, B., Chenivesse, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 23.02.2017; BioMed Central Ltd
• Subjects: Allergens; Allergology; Analysis; Anaphylaxis; Case Report; Causes of; Health aspects; Immunoglobulin G; Immunology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Physiological aspects; Pneumology/Respiratory System; France; Anaphylactic allergic reaction; Rabbit proteins; Thymoglobulin
• ISSN: 1710-1492; 1710-1484; 1710-1492
• DOI: 10.1186/s13223-017-0186-9

Background Thymoglobulin® (anti-thymocyte globulin [rabbit]) is a purified pasteurised, gamma immune globulin obtained by immunisation of rabbits with human thymocytes. Anaphylactic allergic reactions to a first injection of thymoglobulin are rare. Case presentation We report a case of serious anaphylactic reaction occurring after a first intraoperative injection of thymoglobulin during renal transplantation in a patient with undiagnosed respiratory allergy to rabbit allergens. Conclusions This case report reinforces the importance of identifying rabbit allergy by a simple combination of clinical interview followed by confirmatory skin testing or blood tests of all patients prior to injection of thymoglobulin, which is formally contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to rabbit proteins.