Anaphylactoid reactions to infusions of plasma protein and human serum albumin Role of aggregated proteins and of stabilizers added during production

Abstract

Six patients suffering from anaphylactoid reactions after infusion of pasteurized plasma (PP) or human serum albumin (HSA) were investigated. Clinical symptoms ranged from urticaria and hypotension to cardiac arrest. Immunoglobulin [Ig] levels, especially of IgA, were normal, as were concentrations of complement [C] factors C3, C4 and factor B. In skin and lymphocyte transformation tests patients, with the exception of 1 severely allergic to protein, did not react to the monomeric pure HSA. Five of the patients reacted against HSA aggregates; 3 patients, to the HSA modified by caprylate added as stabilizer during commercial HSA production. The anaphylactoid reactions developing after PP or HSA infusion result from a non-specific reaction to protein aggregates and in some cases possibly from a specific immune response to the caprylate-modified HSA.