Anaphylaxis to deer dander in a child: a case report

Background: Hypersensitivity to deer dander is rarely reported, with only 2 6 cases in the literature. Ours is the youngest reported case and the first reported case of anaphylaxis on exposure to a live deer. Objective: Evaluation of a case of anaphylaxis in a young boy upon exposure to a deer. Methods and Results: A 4-year-old boy experienced hives, swelling, and shor tness of breath requiring epinephrine following a deer exposure. He had one mild reaction 5 days prior to his anaphylaxis with an indirect exposure. A deer dander extract was made from fur supplied by the patient's mother. Ig E-mediated reactivity was positive for deer and cattle by both selective sk in prick method and RAST results. Conclusion: Hypersensitivity to wild animals can lead to life threatening a naphylaxis, even in children. Passive transfer of antigen may occur, but ne eds further investigation.