Allergy to Omalizumab: Lessons from a Reaction to the Coronavirus 2019 Vaccine

Takeshi Matsumoto; Yumiko Sakurai; Takahiro Fujiki; Yusuke Kusakabe; Emi Nakayama; Ayaka Tanaka; Naoki Yamamoto; Kensaku Aihara; Shinpachi Yamaoka; Michiaki Mishima

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.1169-22

CASE REPORTS

Allergy to Omalizumab: Lessons from a Reaction to the Coronavirus 2019 Vaccine

Takeshi Matsumoto, Yumiko Sakurai, Takahiro Fujiki, Yusuke Kusakabe, Emi Nakayama, Ayaka Tanaka, Naoki Yamamoto, Kensaku Aihara, Shinpachi Yamaoka, Michiaki Mishima

Author information

Takeshi Matsumoto
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Yumiko Sakurai
Department of Dermatology, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Takahiro Fujiki
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Yusuke Kusakabe
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Emi Nakayama
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Ayaka Tanaka
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Naoki Yamamoto
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Kensaku Aihara
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Shinpachi Yamaoka
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan
Michiaki Mishima
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saiseikai-Noe Hospital, Japan

Keywords: omalizumab, coronavirus disease 2019, polysorbate, angioedema, allergy

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2023 Volume 62 Issue 8 Pages 1219-1222

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.1169-22

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Details

Abstract

Omalizumab can cause hypersensitivity reactions. We herein report the first case of an 18-year-old woman with refractory cough-predominant asthma that correlated with allergic reactions caused by omalizumab and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. The patient developed angioedema after taking omalizumab. She had previously experienced intense coughing immediately after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. A skin prick test was positive for polysorbate 20, which was probably the cause of the allergic reactions to omalizumab and the COVID-19 vaccine. Clinicians should check for an allergic reaction, irrespective of its intensity, triggered by polysorbate and be careful when prescribing biologics to patients in order to avoid allergic reactions.

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