Suxamethonium-induced histamine release from the heart of naïve and suxamethonium-sensitized guinea-pigs: evidence suggesting spontaneous sensitization in naïve animals, and relevance to anaphylactoid reactions in man.

A guinea-pig model for anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions to suxamethonium was evaluated. 'Sensitization' to that drug was demonstrated both by cardiac anaphylaxis in the Langendorff preparation, and by serum antibody studies. Spontaneous sensitization to cross-reacting chemicals in a proportion of control animals is strongly suggested, somewhat akin to spontaneous sensitization in patients with anaphylactoid reactions to neuromuscular blockers on first exposure, and in whom IgE antibodies are detected.