Anaphylaxis to the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in child: a case-control study based on immediate responses in skin tests and specific IgE determination.

Injections of the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine are usually well tolerated. Skin tests (prick and intradermal) and a self-made RAST with pneumococcal vaccine and phenol were performed in a child reporting a severe anaphylactic reaction induced by a 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine, and in ten control children, including one child with a well-tolerated vaccination, and nine non-vaccinated children. Skin tests and RAST with the vaccine were positive in the child reporting anaphylaxis, and negative in nine of the control children. Intradermal test with the vaccine was slightly positive in a non-vaccinated child with negative RAST. Skin tests and RAST with phenol were negative in all the children. These results suggest that immediate responses in skin tests and specific IgE determination have a good diagnostic value in children reporting severe reactions suggestive of IgE-dependent hypersensitivity to pneumococcal vaccine.