Vaccine allergy and pseudo-allergy

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European Journal of Dermatology. Vol. 13, Issue 1, January - February 2003

Vaccine allergy and pseudo-allergy
European Journal of Dermatology. Vol. 13, Issue 1, January - February 2003: 10-5, Review articles

Summary: Allergic and pseudo-allergic reactions to vaccines frequently involve the skin, and can be generalized systemic symptoms (urticaria/angioedema, serum sickness, flares of eczema) or localized at the sites of vaccination (persistent nodules, abcesses, granulomas). Diagnosis of Arthus-type reactions is based on clinical history and specific IgM/IgG anti-toxoid determination. For other local reactions, diagnostic value of non-immediate responses in skin tests varies with clinical symptoms and substances involved. Immediate responses in skin tests and specific IgE determination have good diagnostic and/or predictive value in anaphylaxis and immediate/accelerated urticaria/angioedema to toxoid-, pneumococcus-, and egg- and gelatin-containing vaccines. Diagnosis of reactions to dextran in BCG is based on specific IgM/IgG determination. Most non-immediate generalized reactions result from non-specific inflammation, except for gelatin-containing vaccines, but the diagnostic value of immuno-allergological tests with the vaccines and gelatin are controversial. Withholding booster injections is advised if specific IgM/IgG levels are high. If the levels are low, sequential injections of vaccines containing a single vaccinating agent are usually tolerated. However, injections of the vaccine should be performed using a " desensitization " procedure in patients reporting anaphylaxis and immediate/accelerated urticaria/angioedema.
Author(s): Claude PONVERT, Pierre SCHEINMANN		Keywords: Allergy to vaccines, dextran, gelatin, ovalbumin, pneumococcal vaccine, toxoids, skin tests, specific IgE, specific IgG.

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* ►February 8, 2010 - URGENT: Call Now, Stop NY Bill, Allows Kids To Decide All STD Vaccines Allowed Without Your Consent - The Autism Action Coalition

* ►February 8, 2010 - The Conflicting Views of Dr. Ben Goldacre and the Wakefield Affair - Ben Goldacre The conflicting views of Dr Ben Goldacre and the Wakefield affair: dumbing the public down. By John Stone - Age of Autism

* ►February 8, 2010 - Inovio Biomedical Cervical Cancer Therapeutic Vaccine Generates Dose-Related Immune Response in Clinical Trial - Inovio via BusinessWire via Technology Marketing Corporation - "VGX-3100 is a DNA vaccine targeting the E6 and E7 proteins of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 and is delivered via in vivo electroporation. Similar to previously reported data from the initial lowest dose cohort of this phase I trial, the vaccine was found to be generally safe and well tolerated. While previously reported data showed significant cellular and humoral immune responses, data from this second, intermediate dose group highlighted a significantly increased and dose-related immune response specific to the antigens targeted by the vaccine."..."While recent HPV preventive vaccines have been successful in protecting against infections that may lead to cervical cancer, Inovio's therapeutic vaccine targets the millions of women already infected with HPV and is intended to treat pre-cancerous cells and cervical cancer caused by this virus. Current vaccines do not serve this group of women," Dr. Kim added."

* ►February 6, 2010 - Autism Findings Retracted - The New American - "Actress Holly Robinson Peete remembers, 'When my son was two-and-a-half, he was just recovering from an ear infection and had been on antibiotics, therefore his immune system was suppressed. He had already missed several appointments for his vaccination so his pediatrician wanted to catch him up on all of them in the same day. Althrough I asked if he’d consider waiting or breaking up the cocktail, which contains three viruses, he laughed me out of the office and belittled me. I firmly believe that it took my son to a place of no return and his body could not handle it. He had a violent reaction with convulsions and then he stopped talking and slipped into a silence. He no longer said, 'Hi, Mommy,' he no longer responded to his name and he no longer made eye contact.”

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