title: Skin prick test results to artesunate in children sensitized to Artemisia vulgaris L.
abstract: Artemisia vulgaris L and Artemisia annua L (Chinese: qinghao) are similar plants of the Asterbaceae family. Artesunate, a semi-synthetic derivate of artemisin which is the active principle extract of the plant qinghao, has antimalarial properties. Some cases of severe allergic reactions to artesunate have been described. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between positive skin tests to Artemisia vulgaris L allergen and a preparation of injectable artesunate. A total of 531 children were skin prick tested with inhalants (including Artemisia vulgaris L), foods, and artesunate. Among the 59 patients positive to Artemisia vulgaris L only one child was also positive to artesunate. No child was positive to artesunate in those negative to Artemisia vulgaris L. We conclude that Artemisia vulgaris L sensitization is not associated with sensitization to artesunate; consequently, skin test to artesunate should not be carried out before using the drug considering the rare allergic reactions.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, St Salvatore Hospital, University of Aquila, Italy Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pantano
authors.affiliation: Allergy Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montagnani
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy Infectious Diseases Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiappini
authors.affiliation: Allergy Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Novembre
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy Infectious Diseases Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy maurizio.demartino@unifi.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Martino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D019306:Artemisia / Q000276:immunology*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000276:immunology*; D000077332:Artesunate; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D037621:Artemisinins; D000077332:Artesunate
keywords: Artemisia vulgaris L; artesunate; children; skin prick tests