title: Skin testing to evaluate oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS) associated with influenza vaccination during the 2000-2001 season.
abstract: A syndrome of red eyes and respiratory symptoms was noted following receipt of influenza vaccine in Canada during the 2000-2001 influenza season. We conducted intra-dermal skin testing to determine if oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS) was related to failure of the splitting process during vaccine manufacturing, if it was associated with a particular viral strain and to identify individuals at risk for subsequent ORS reaction. Skin testing with minute quantities of vaccine antigen induced ORS symptoms at a higher rate amongst persons previously affected by this syndrome compared to previously unaffected persons. Skin test reaction size or quality could not identify persons at risk of ORS. Skin testing could not identify a specific strain or the stage in the manufacturing process during which the trigger may have been introduced.
authors.affiliation: UBC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 4R4. danuta.skowronski@bccdc.hnet.bc.ca
authors.forename: Danuta M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Skowronski
authors.forename: Gaston
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Serres
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hebert
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Warrington
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Macnabb
authors.forename: Ramak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shadmani
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rochette
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Duval
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000276:immunology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D012882:Skin Tests; D013577:Syndrome; D014581:Urticaria / Q000209:etiology; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines