title: Allergic reaction to polysulphone membrane dialyser masquerading as infection.
abstract: Hypersensitivity reactions during haemodialysis are well documented in the literature. Most dialysis membrane reactions occur with ethylene oxide or non-biocompatible membranes and less frequently with biocompatible membranes. The symptoms are non-specific except for the temporal relationship typically occurring during the haemodialysis. Patients who present with the non-classic type of reaction pose a diagnostic challenge and clinicians must have a high index of suspicion. We present a non-classic presentation of a hypersensitivity reaction to a polysulfone membrane dialyser with recurrent fevers during and after haemodialysis, initially thought to be due to infection. After a series of negative work ups for infection, dialysis membrane reaction was considered and the patient improved after change of the membrane.
authors.affiliation: North Shore Medical Center, Salem, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Japheth E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mukaya
authors.affiliation: North Shore Medical Center, Salem, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Mitchell S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.affiliation: North Shore Medical Center, Salem, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Esprit
authors.affiliation: North Shore Medical Center, Salem, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Tokunbo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ajayi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D013450:Sulfones; C017662:polysulfone P 1700