Aziz Nivin, Luna Carla, Mirza Farheen, Tobin Mary
Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Section of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Immunology & Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Semin Dial. 2015 Nov-Dec;28(6):661-4. doi: 10.1111/sdi.12402. Epub 2015 Jul 4.
Allergic reactions to epoetin alfa, including anaphylaxis, have been described but desensitization in the setting of an IgE-mediated reaction has not been reported. We present a case of a hemodialysis patient who developed symptoms of an IgE-mediated allergic response to epoetin alfa that occurred after each administration. These reactions progressed to a single episode of anaphylaxis with generalized pruritus, urticaria, oropharyngeal edema, and hypotension that prompted its discontinuation. Intradermal skin testing confirmed an allergic response to this agent. The patient then underwent a desensitization procedure to epoetin alpha after which she was able to tolerate it without further problems.
