AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19 Vaccine Can Be Safely Administered in Patients with EDTA Allergy

Background: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to COVID-19 vaccines have been postulated to be linked to their excipients, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) in Pfizer Comirnaty, or polysorbate 80 and ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) in AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] (Vaxzevria). These excipients are potentially found in a range of other products, including injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous radiocontrast media (RCM) and various cosmetic products.Currently patients with proven excipient allergy may be advised to avoid a COVID-19 vaccine containing that excipient and/or potentially cross-reactive excipients. We present two cases of previously confirmed EDTA anaphylaxis, who had negative Vaxzevria vaccine in-vivo testing and subsequently tolerated the vaccine.Case 1: A patient with history of anaphylaxis to RCM and local anaesthetics (LA) had positive intradermal test (IDT) to EDTA nine years earlier. Skin testing to Vaxzeria vaccine (up to 1:10 IDT), Comirnaty vaccine (up to 1:10 IDT) and EDTA 0.3mg/mL IDT were negative. However, following EDTA 3mg/ml IDT, he developed immediate generalised urticaria without anaphylaxis. Basophil activation testing was negative to disodium EDTA, Vaxzevria and Cominarty vaccines. Given the negative in-vitro and in-vivo testing to Vaxzevria vaccine, he proceeded to Vaxzevria immunisation and tolerated both doses.Case 2: A patient with history of anaphylaxis to RCM had positive skin testing to EDTA and RCM containing EDTA six years earlier. Following referral to COVID19 vaccine clinic, Vaxzevria vaccine (1:10 IDT) and Cominarty vaccine (1:10 IDT) were negative whilst EDTA was positive at 0.3mg/mL IDT. He subsequently tolerated both Vaxzevria vaccinations.Conclusion: Excipient allergy does not necessarily preclude a patient from receiving a vaccine containing that excipient. Allergy testing can help identify excipient-allergic patients who may still tolerate vaccination, which is important in situations where COVID-19 vaccination options are limited.

Clinical implication of detecting sensitization to iodinated radiocontrast media in the basophil activation test by flow cytometry

The use of iodinated radiocontrast media is necessary for visualization. A number of patients have adverse effects of various nature and severity when these drugs are administered. Routine allergy tests do not provide adequate diagnosis of reactions to drugs in this group. The aim of this work is to assess the capabilities of the basophil activation test to confirm sensitization to non-ionic iodinated radiocontrast media, as well as to select a safe alternative drug in patients with a burdened history. Basophil activation test by flow cytometry was performed in 184 patients The Nikiforov Russian Centre of Emergency and Radiation Medicine» EMERCOM of Russia and 32 volunteers using ultravist, omnipack, and optiray. The presence of sensitization was assessed based on the basophil activation index, as well as spontaneous and anti-IgE antibody-induced activation of basophils and the population of T-lymphocytes type 2 immune response. The volunteers showed no sensitization to iodinated radiocontrast media. In patients with a medium degree of hypersensitivity reaction in vivo, in vitro sensitization to drugs was detected 4 times more often than in patients with a mild degree (51% versus 13.5%). In patients with systemic reactions to the administration of a known drug, in vitro sensitization was confirmed in 86% of cases, while the frequency of detection of sensitization to drugs did not differ. Spontaneous activation of basophils in patients and type 2 T-lymphocytes were 2 times higher than in volunteers. Patients were more likely to have low (less than 30%) activation of basophils for anti-IgE antibodies. The specificity of the basophil activation test with iodinated radiocontrast media was 100% with a sensitivity of 94.1%. Most patients were able to select a non-sensitizing contrast. Inclusion in the algorithm of spontaneous and anti-IgE antibody-induced activation of basophils and a population of T-lymphocytes type 2 immune response will allow the doctor to carry out a personalized approach to the management of patients with a burdened history.

Efficacy of Atorvastatin in Prevention of Contrast induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography

Background The use of radiocontrast media has increased greatly from the past decades for diagnostic radiography and interventional procedures and it is estimated that approximately 60 million people in the world are used radiocontrast media each year. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin (ATN) 80 mg in the prevention of CIN in patients undergoing angiography. Patients and Methods This study was a prospective, two‑arm, parallel group, controlled, clinical trial. This study has been performed on 100 Egyptian patients. Patients of either sex and aged between 21 and 65 years admitted for coronary angiography from January 2019 to June 2019, the patients had serum cretinine between 1 and 1.5 mg/dl or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73m2) and suffering from controlled DM or HTN. Results As regard to prevalence of contrast nephropathy, in our study we found that the total prevalence was 13%. We have concluded a great effect of diabetes on development of contrast nephropathy. We have concluded a great effect of hypertension on development of contrast nephropathy. There was a great effect of number of vessels affected on development of contrast nephropathy. As regard FBS there was no significant difference between the two groups. Also, there was a highly significant positive correlation between and study markers of acute kidney injury (72 h- Serum creat Delta Serum creat, 72 h- GFR and Delta GFR) and FBS. As regard Contrast media dose there was no significant difference between the two groups. Also, there was a highly significant positive correlation between and study markers of acute kidney injury (72 h- Serum creat Delta Serum creat, 72 h- GFR and Delta GFR) and contrast media dose. In our study there was a highly significant difference between the two groups as regard study markers of evidence of contrast nephropathy (72 h- Serum creat Delta Serum creat, 72 h- GFR and Delta GFR).Also, there was a great effect of on development of contrast nephropathy. In our study there was a highly significant difference between the two groups as regard study markers of evidence of contrast nephropathy (72 h- Serum creat Delta Serum creat, 72 h- GFR and Delta GFR).Also, there was a great effect of on development of contrast nephropathy. Conclusion There was a beneficial significant effect of statin on prevention of contrast nephropathy, also we concluded that age, hypertension, DM, dyslipidaemia, FBS, hemoglobin level, serum uric acid and dose of contrast media are major risk factors for developing contrast nephropathy.

The Role of Skin Tests and Premedication in Radiocontrast Media Hypersensitivity: A Clinical Dilemma

ABSTRACT Objective: Controversies continue over the diagnostic approach, prediction, and premedication in radiocontrast media (RCM) hypersensitivity. One of the most important problems encountered in daily clinical practice is that patients do not recall which contrast agent has been used in previous exposures. Also, in most cases, the details of the reaction have not been recorded. Therefore, difficulties are experienced in decision-making about skin testing and premedication in patients who are suspected of RCM hypersensitivity. To assess the clinical value of skin tests and premedication in RCM hypersensitivity. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluation was made of the medical records of patients between October 2014 and December 2019. The skin tests were performed with the culprit agent if it was known, otherwise, with iohexol, one of the most commonly used RCM in Turkey. As premedication, oral methylprednisolone 40 mg 13-7-1 hours before the procedure and oral pheniramine 22.7 mg 1 hour before the procedure were prescribed. Results: A total of 41 patients were evaluated (32 females and 9 males). Of the reactions, 35 (85.4%) were immediate and 6 (14.6%) were non-immediate. Three (7.3%) had a positive intradermal test result. It was determined that 20 patients (17 immediate, 3 non- immediate), required imaging with RCM again. Of these, 18 received premedication and two did not, although it was recommended. Of the patients who received premedication, one (5.5%) had an urticarial reaction of the same grade, while both patients (100%) who did not receive premedication developed an immediate allergic reaction that was of a similar grade to that of the previous reaction. Conclusion: Skin test positivity for RCM was observed at low rates. In cases with negative skin tests and when the culprit drug cannot be identified, re-exposure to alternative RCM under premedication may reduce the risk of the reaction. Keywords: Allergy, iodinated contrast media, iobitridol, iohexol, premedication