Gelatin, hypersensitivity

A 4% solution of gelatin (often modified, i.e. succinylated gelatin) is also used as a plasma expander. For this application, 500ml-ll of the sterile solution is infused slowly. In rare occurrences, infusion (particularly rapid infusion) of the gelatin solution has been known to initiate hypersensitivity reactions. After its infusion, gelatin is excreted relatively quickly and mostly via the urine. 

Contraindications Severely impaired liver or kidney function, chronic abnormal elevated lipid levels, concomitant use of methotrexate ortetracyclines, hypersensitivity to acitretin, etretinate, or other retinoids, sensitivity to parabenz (used as preservative in gelatin capsule)... 

Contraindications Hypersensitivity to gelatin desserts or salmon protein... 

Hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity reactions, considered to be vaccine-related based on the timing and specificity of the reactions, were reported to the United States Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) following vaccination for Lyme disease and subsequently evaluated (Burmester et al., 1995 Lathrop et al., 2002). Other reported immune system-related events to vaccines included rheumatoid arthritis, immune system disorders, detection of antinuclear antibodies, lupus syndrome, and lymphocytosis (Zhou et al., 2003). These were very rare events, with each condition comprising 0.2% or fewer of the total reports. Anaphylactic responses to vaccines were also rare and were estimated at less than one case per miUion administered vaccine doses (Bohlke et al., 2003). A number of studies evaluated anaphylactic responses to the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, diphtheria or tetanus vaccines with similar findings (Dobson et al., 1995 D Souza et al., 2000 Patja et al, 2000 Pool et al., 2002). However, some of the vaccine-induced hypersensitivity reactions are attributed to components of the formulation, such as gelatin or egg, rather than the antigen itself (Patja et al., 2001 Pool et al., 2002). 

This test was negative in patients who had experienced anaphylactoid reactions to gelatin derivatives, indicating absence of specific cell-mediated hypersensitivity (Ring 1978 a). Further, the T- and B-cell functions were considered normal as measured by stimulation of the lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen. 

Hypersensitivity reactions of the skin and respiratory system have been reported in a study made at random of 750 orthopaedic surgery cases, who received 5 different plasma substitutes preceding anaesthesia. Side effects, especiahy erythema and urticaria, itching and oedemata, rhinorrhoea and asthmatic conditions, were observed in 21.3% with gelatin derivatives, 3% with Macrodex... 

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