title: Anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine-coated central venous catheters: a case series and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anaphylactic reactions to chlorhexidine are rare but are being reported increasingly in association with a variety of products.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report three cases of anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine in patients presenting for cardiac surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In each case, anaphylaxis was precipitated by the insertion of a central venous catheter impregnated with chlorhexidine acetate. Subsequent investigations confirmed chlorhexidine as the causal agent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extensive use of chlorhexidine to reduce hospital-acquired infections has the potential to sensitize a small proportion of patients, leading to life-threatening anaphylaxis on subsequent exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Dr.Guleri@bfwh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Achyut
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guleri
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Richard J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hartley
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine