Ethylene oxide (ETO) as a possible cause of an allergic reaction during peritoneal dialysis and immunologic detection of ETO from dialysis tubing.

An infant with end-stage renal disease requiring continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) had a cutaneous eruption with eosinophilia. This reaction was not associated with any drug administration. An analysis for antibodies against ethylene oxide-human serum albumin (ETO-HSA) was conducted because IgE antibodies have been correlated with allergic reactions during hemodialysis. IgE and IgG antibodies against ETO-HSA were demonstrated in one of two serum samples available. Serologic evidence is presented that ETO may be eluted from the dialysis tubing, react with HSA in the peritoneum, and immunize the dialyzed host. This may be a possible explanation for allergic manifestations in our patient and others undergoing peritoneal dialysis.