[라이센스뉴스 황지원 기자] With the corona19 vaccination started in Korea last month, a total of 580,000 people have completed the first vaccination so far. However, as a result of suspicion of adverse reactions after vaccination, as well as death cases as well as reported cases, anxiety about the side effects of the vaccine is increasing.
In particular, the number of suspected cases of’Anaphylaxis’, which causes severe systemic allergic reactions, continues to increase, and interest in this is increasing.
Anaphylaxis refers to a systemic allergy that occurs in response to an antigen from outside the body. Shock symptoms such as acute respiratory distress, decreased blood pressure, loss of consciousness, etc. may occur, and death may result if appropriate treatment is not received.
Symptoms occur acutely within 30 minutes after exposure to the cause in various areas such as respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and skin. It causes spasms and contractions of the bronchial muscles, resulting in shortness of breath, wheezing, hypoxia, stuffy nose, and runny nose.
Also, as blood pressure decreases, blood flow to the brain decreases, leading to headaches and dizziness. In addition, nausea and vomiting may occur, and abdominal pain may occur due to decreased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract, and hives, itching, redness, etc. may occur on the skin or mucous membrane.
The substances that cause anaphylaxis range from foods such as peanuts, dairy products, and crustaceans to drugs and insects. In particular, in the case of drugs, penicillin or cephalosporin-based beta-lactam antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, and contrast media used for computed tomography (CT) are typical.
In addition, some Corona 19 vaccines contain a component called polyethylene glycol (PEG) to increase its effectiveness and stability, and this PEG is known to be a substance that can induce anaphylaxis.
In other words, those who possess anti-PEG antibodies against PEG may cause an allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis after vaccination.
Currently, there is no in vitro diagnostic test that can measure anti-PEG antibodies, but anaphylaxis can be diagnosed through the’Tryptase test’ that can determine the degree of activation of mast cells.
Mast cells are cells that recognize antigens that invade from the outside and bring in cells that can fight the antigen, and tryptase is a protein that is abundantly present. Therefore, by measuring the degree of activation of mast cells through tryptase levels, it is possible to diagnose whether or not anaphylaxis occurs.
The GC Green Cross Medical Foundation, a medical institution specializing in clinical testing, provides tryptase testing to dozens of medical institutions nationwide. The tryptase test has so far been a burden on patients as a non-payment item, but it has been converted to pay from this month and can be tested for about 12,000 won (based on an advanced hospital).