Anaphylaxis to the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in child: a case-controlstudy based on immediate responses in skin tests and specific IgE determination

Injections of the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine are usually well tolerated . Skin tests (prick and intradermal) and a self-made RAST with pneumococcal vaccine and phenol were performed in a child reporting a severe anaphylact ic reaction induced by a 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine, and in ten control children, including one child with a well-tolerated vaccination, and nine non-vaccinated children. Skin tests and RAST with the vaccine were positive in the child reporting anaphylaxis, and negative in nine of the control ch ildren. Intradermal test with the vaccine was slightly positive in a non-va ccinated child with negative RAST. Skin tests and RAST with phenol were neg ative in all the children. These results suggest that immediate responses i n skin tests and specific IgE determination have a good diagnostic value in children reporting severe reactions suggestive of IgE-dependent hypersensi tivity to pneumococcal vaccine. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.