Author: Zheng W, Dreskin SC.

Source: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.

Year: 2007

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

“Thimerosal is a mercury derivative used as a preservative and bacteriostatic agent. We report an immediate hypersensitivity reaction after skin testing with an adult influenza vaccine that seems to be due to thimerosal. The patient is a 31-year-old woman with seasonal allergic rhinitis and irritable bowel syndrome. She developed conjunctival erythema and local pain after using a thimerosal-containing contact lens solution 15 years before the evaluation. She then switched to and tolerated the same brand of contact lens solution without thimerosal.”

Citation:

Zheng W, Dreskin SC. Thimerosal in influenza vaccine: an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99(6): 574-5.