Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe, life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Early diagnosis and treatment of a severe allergic reaction requires recognition of the signs and symptoms, as well as classification of severity. It is a clinical emergency, and healthcare providers should have the knowledge for recognition and management. The aim of the study is to evaluate the level of knowledge in the management of anaphylaxis in healthcare providers. It is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare providers over 18 years old via a Google Forms link and shared through different social media platforms. A 12-item questionnaire was applied which included the evaluation of the management of anaphylaxis, from June 2020 to May 2021. A total of 1023 surveys were evaluated; 1013 met inclusion criteria and were included in the statistical analysis. A passing grade was considered with 8 or more correct answers out of 12; the overall approval percentage was 28.7%. The group with the highest percentage of approval in the questionnaire was health-care providers with more than 30 years of work experience. There was a significant difference between the proportions of approval between all specialty groups, and in a post-hoc analysis, allergy and immunology specialists showed greater proportions of approval compared to general medicine practitioners (62.9% vs 25%; p=<0.001). It is important that healthcare providers know how to recognize, diagnose, and treat anaphylaxis, and later refer them to specialists in Allergy and Clinical Immunology in order to make a personalized diagnosis and treatment.

Introduction: Hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to rituximab occur during the first infusion in 29% to 40% of patients. Commonly, these hypersensitivity reactions are the result of a release of cytokines, although IgE mediated reactions have also been reported. Case Report: A 7-year-old female patient with diagnosis of CD-20 positive acute lymphoblastic B-cell leukemia was included in a pilot study that consisted of two doses of rituximab treatment in the induction to remission phase by the pediatric hematology service; 30 minutes after the first administration of 300 mg of rituximab the patient started with generalized rash, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, dyspnea, foreign body sensation in throat, oxygen desaturation until 89% and hypotension; therefore, the infusion of rituximab was suspended, and intramuscular epinephrine was administered as well as intravenous hydrocortisone and chlorphenamine and supplemental oxygen supply with adequate resolution of symptoms. Management & Outcome: Intradermal skin testing with rituximab at the concentration 1 mg/ml (dilution 1:10), was positive. Desensitization to rituximab was indicated by our service with 4 bags – 16 steps protocol with an initial concentration dose of 1/1,000 of the total dose. The patient was premedicated 1 hour prior with intravenous chlorphenamine, methylprednisolone and ondansetron. Intravenous prophylactic fluids with normal saline solution were administered during the infusion. The procedure was carried out with close monitoring of vital signs in a course of 6.67 hours, without presenting hypersensitivity reactions. Discussion: HSR to rituximab may be induced by the activation of mast cells and basophils. Desensitization protocols are developed when there is no alternative drug for the underlying condition.

Background: Hypersensitivity reactions to anticancer chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies may lead to discontinuation of first-line treatment options. Identification of these reactions can provide specific diagnosis and treatment by rapid drug desensitizations. Objective: To determine the hypersensitivity reactions involved in anticancer chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies, and the safety and efficacy of rapid drug desensitization. Methods: We conducted an observational study of hypersensitivity reaction presented after the administration of anticancer chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies in Mexico. We documented the symptoms of initial reaction and their severity, and the results of skin tests. We also report our experience of the administration of 12-step (mild-moderate reactions) and 16-step (severe reactions) desensitization protocols in these patients. Results: Overall, 93 patients received 336 rapid drug desensitization; 105 to taxanes, 115 to platinum drugs, 101 to monoclonal antibodies, and 15 other anticancer chemotherapy. Hypersensitivity reaction to taxanes occurred in the first or second administration, platinum drugs after the sixth cycle, and rituximab in the first cycle. The most common symptom in carboplatin was urticaria, paclitaxel back pain, oxaliplatin and docetaxel dyspnea, and in the monoclonal antibodies cardiovascular symptoms. Skin tests were positive in 75% of the carboplatin group, and only 16.7% in docetaxel. There was a rapid drug desensitization success rate of 99.4% and 85.7% did not present any related hypersensitivity reaction. Conclusion: The diagnosis of hypersensitivity reaction to anticancer chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies offers a panorama in the management of oncological diseases. Our standardized desensitization protocol is safe and effective and can be reproduced in other centers to treat patients who need to maintain first-line treatment.

Background: Taxanes adjuvant therapy is recommended in certain high risk or metastatic tumors, particularly in lung and breast cancer, but also in other types of cancer like ovarian. The incidence of severe adverse drug reactions to paclitaxel is of approximately 10%. Objectives: Analyze type I hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel and their management in the Mexican population. Method: It is a retrospective, observational and descriptive study that included type I hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel reported from our database. Symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel were classified and skin testing was performed with a 6 mg/mL paclitaxel concentration. The desensitization procedure consisted of a 12-steps, 3-bags of 250 mL protocol with a 6–7-hour duration. Results: A total of 60 desensitization procedures were performed and were all completed successfully. All participants in our group were female, their median age was 44.5 years. All of our patients had hypersensitivity adverse drug reaction to paclitaxel during their first exposure and within the first 10 minutes of infusion. 63.6% of the patients had a moderate hypersensitivity reaction to paclitaxel and 36.4% had a severe reaction. Conclusions: Paclitaxel continues to be a common use drug and has a high rate of adverse drug reactions. This is the first study of hypersensitivity to paclitaxel in a Mexican population.

La contaminación del aire, el cambio climático y la reducción de la diversidad biológica son amenazas importantes para la salud humana. En las últimas décadas se ha observado un aumento en las enfermedades alérgicas incluyendo asma y rinoconjuntivitis. Hasta al 40% de la población mundial pueden presentar alguna enfermedad alérgica representando un impacto significativo en la calidad de vida de quienes la padecen, siendo la contaminación ambiental una de las causas de su presentación. La contaminación del aire causa morbilidad y mortalidad significativas en pacientes con enfermedades inflamatorias de las vías respiratorias como rinitis alérgica, rinosinusitis crónica, asma y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. El estrés oxidativo en pacientes con enfermedades respiratorias puede inducir inflamación eosinofílica en las vías respiratorias, aumentar la sensibilización alérgica atópica y aumentar la susceptibilidad a infecciones. El cambio climático ha influido en la exposición a alérgenos extramuros y se asocia con exacerbaciones de enfermedades de la vía respiratoria superior e inferior. La interacción de las exposiciones ambientales en interiores y exteriores y los factores del huésped pueden afectar el desarrollo y la progresión de enfermedades alérgicas de por vida. La reducción de la exposición a los contaminantes del aire se ha asociado con una respuesta favorable en la salud respiratoria por lo cual es necesario implementar medidas que contribuyan a la mejoría en la calidad del aire.