Ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide Scientific Information
Type: Whole Allergen
Display Name: Ethylene oxide
Allergen code: k78
Other Names: Ethylene oxide
WHO/ICD-11 code: XM4G15
Route Of Exposure
Occupational
Ethylene oxide is commonly used industrially for sterilization of heat sensitive medical devices.
Unexpected exposure Patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis and those exposed to tubings, syringes and other material sterilized with ethylene oxide.
Environment exposure Any workplace where ethylene oxide is used in significant amounts. Certain medical wards
Clinical Relevance
IgE-mediated reactions
Severe allergic symptoms rhinitis, asthma, chest oppression, and urticaria and even anaphylaxis triggered by IgE antibodies to ethylene oxide have been reported. IgE-mediated anaphylaxis mediated by ethylene oxide has been published in patients regularly undergoing haemodialysis and approximately 10% of such patients have been found to have IgE antibodies to ethylene oxide
References
- Dolovich J, Bell B : Allergy to a product(s) of ethylene oxide gas, demonstration of IgE and IgG antibodies and hapten specificity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1978, 62, 30-32.
- Wass U, Belin L, Delin K: Longitudinal study of specific IgE and IgG antibodies in a patient sensitized to ethylene oxide through dialysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1988, 82, 679-85.
- Nicholls AJ, Platts MM: Anaphylactoid reactions due to haemodialysis, haemofiltration, or membrane plasma separation. BMJ 1982, 285, 1607.
- Poothullil J, Shimizu A, Day RP, Dolovich J: Anaphylaxis from the product(s) of ethylene oxide gas. Ann Intern Med 1975, 82, 58-60.
- Marshall C, Pearson F, Shimizu A, Smith EKM, Dolovich J: Sensitization to ethylene oxide in hemodialysis patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1984, 73, 164.
- Marshall CP, Pearson FC, Sagona MA, Lee W, Wathen RL, Ward RA, Dolovich J: Reactions during hemodialysis caused by allergy to ethylene oxide gas sterilization. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1985, 75, 563-567.