A 24-year-old woman undergoing chronic dialysis therapy who had been diagnosed as having ‘heparin allergy’ presented acute allergic reaction after the intracatheter injection of a heparin agent. Further investigation revealed that mild eosinophilia had persisted for more than 3 years before this incidence despite avoiding the use of heparin agents. The leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) showed that heparin agent A which was used for the patient showed positive reaction while heparin agent B which was not used for the patient showed a negative reaction. Paraoxybenzoic acid esters (parabens) are contained in heparin agent A but not in heparin agent B. Parabens showed positive reactions on LMIT. Parabens are the most common preservatives in drugs, foods, and cosmetics and they sometimes induce allergic reactions through percutaneous and possibly ingestive sensitization. However, they cause more severe allergic reactions when used intravenously. We concluded that the allergen in this patient was not heparin but parabens. Hypereosinophilia of unknown origin often occurs in dialysis patients. Such patients may be hypersensitive to parabens.
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.