Severe anaphylaxis to a new disinfectant: polyhexanide, a chlorhexidine polymer

Article Article scientifique Rapport de cas Severe anaphylaxis to a new disinfectant: polyhexanide, a chlorhexidine polymer eng 1998 author Olivieri Juan Ignacio 31319 author Eigenmann Philippe 0000-0003-1738-1826 73268 author Hauser Conrad 22348 1508-1511 9888165 0036-7672 We describe the cases of an 18-year-old female and a 15-year-old male who developed severe anaphylaxis following contact of surgical wounds with the disinfectant Lavasept, containing polyhexanide, a polymerised form of chlorhexidine, during orthopaedic interventions. According to the manufacturer, this product is the only polyhexanide containing medical disinfectant, has recently been commercialised and is only available in Switzerland. One of the patients denied previous contact with this compound but both patients were previously exposed to chlorhexidine. Immediate-type hypersensitivity to polyhexanide was suggested by positive skin prick tests in the two patients and by negative skin tests in control individuals. Skin tests with chlorhexidine in the patients remained negative. We conclude that contact with the new disinfectant Lavasept can trigger anaphylactic reactions, even in the absence of previous history of exposure to this compound. It remains to be established whether this new disinfectant is a frequent anaphylactogen. Administration, Topical Adolescent Anaphylaxis/chemically induced Biguanides/administration & dosage/adverse effects Chlorhexidine/administration & dosage/adverse effects Disinfectants/administration & dosage/adverse effects Female Humans Male Polymers/administration & dosage/adverse effects Dewey 618 58 Département de pédiatrie, gynécologie et obstétrique 223 false 154 Pathogenèse et traitement des allergies alimentaires 191 Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift 128 40 6e74068d-0ee7-4db0-8fae-0aff67c562ef Article (Published version) Restricted 1508-1511.pdf 828296 application/pdf restrictedAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de pédiatrie, gynécologie et obstétrique

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Severe anaphylaxis to a new disinfectant: polyhexanide, a chlorhexidine polymer	Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift			1998	507	1

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Olivieri, Juan Ignacio