Abstract
· Background: Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal complication of fluorescein angiography. It is diagnosed by clinical signs. Serum β-tryptase serves as a specific indicator of mast cell activation and of anaphylactic shock that can be detected by radioimmunoassay. · Method: This is a report on a 48-year-old woman who developed anaphylaxis during fluorescein angiography. This study investigates the role of β-tryptase in anaphylactic shock resulting from intravenous fluorescein angiogram. · Results: A serum sample of β-tryptase collected at the time of an adverse reaction to fluorescein angiography was determined by radioimmunassay to be elevated above 20 ng/ml (normal level <1 ng/ml). This indicates massive mast cell activation and anaphylactic shock. · Conclusion: This case is the first in which elevated levels of β-tryptase in serum indicated that the systemic adverse reaction to fluorescein was mast cell dependent. Additionally, β-tryptase levels can be assayed to detect anaphylactic reactions several hours after a precipitating event.
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Received: 30 June 1998 Revised version received: 3 September 1998 Accepted: 3 September 1998
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Butrus, S., Negvesky, G., Rivera-Velazques, P. et al. Serum tryptase: an indicator of anaphylaxis following fluorescein angiography. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 237, 433–434 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004170050256
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004170050256