Delayed hypersensitivity to thimerosal in RhO(D) immunoglobulin,☆☆,

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Abstract

J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;100:138-9.

Section snippets

Case report

A 33-year-old Rh-negative woman was referred to our division for evaluation of possible “RhoGAM allergy.” The patient had been in her usual state of good health until approximately 24 hours after receiving a single intramuscular dose (300 μg) of RhoGAM as antepartum prophylaxis for Rh isoimmunization. At this point she noted that the injection site became warm, indurated (to 10 × 10 cm), and pruritic. She had no other cutaneous or extracutaneous reaction and specifically denied urticaria,

Discussion

Thimerosal (sodium ethyl mercurithiosalicylate), also known as merthiolate, is an antibacterial agent used as a preservative in many topical medications, contact lens solutions, vaccines, antitoxins, and some allergy extracts. The mercury compound, the thiosalicylate moiety, or both may be responsible for hypersensitivity reactions.2 Thimerosal has been commonly implicated as a cause of contact dermatitis and keratoconjuctivitis. More severe delayed hypersensitivity reactions have been

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From athe Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and bMorristown Memorial Hospital.

☆☆

Reprint requests: Richard E. Luka, MD, UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School, Division of Allergy and Immunology, DOC Suite 4900, 90 Bergen St., Newark, NJ 07103-2714.

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