Successful prevention of recurrent anaphylactic events with anti-immunoglobulin E therapy
10.5415/apallergy.2014.4.2.126
- Author:
Jaechun LEE
1
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju 690-756, Korea. doc4u@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Anaphylaxis;
Omalizumab;
Immunoglobulin E;
Prevention and control;
Immediate hypersensitivity
- MeSH:
Adult;
Anaphylaxis;
Distance Counseling;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Epinephrine;
Humans;
Hypersensitivity;
Hypersensitivity, Immediate;
Immunoglobulin E;
Omalizumab
- From:
Asia Pacific Allergy
2014;4(2):126-128
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Anaphylaxis is a fatal and systemic allergic reaction, which can be prevented by avoiding exposure to a causative agent. However, the causative agent cannot be identified in all cases and may be hardly avoided. A 41-year-old man, diagnosed with idiopathic anaphylaxis, experienced 6 anaphylactic events over 7 months, requiring 4 emergency department (ER) visits and 3 epinephrine self-injections. Anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) therapy was introduced to prevent further anaphylactic events. He experienced no anaphylactic events during 13 months of 4 monthly injections from the beginning until his most recent ER visit because of a similar anaphylactic event. We report a patient who experienced recurrent anaphylactic events that were prevented effectively by anti-IgE therapy with omalizumab. Anti-IgE therapy might be considered as an option to prevent anaphylactic events in patients for whom the causative agent(s) cannot be identified or avoided.