title: An avoidable cause of thymoglobulin anaphylaxis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thymoglobulin® (anti-thymocyte globulin [rabbit]) is a purified pasteurised, gamma immune globulin obtained by immunisation of rabbits with human thymocytes. Anaphylactic allergic reactions to a first injection of thymoglobulin are rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of serious anaphylactic reaction occurring after a first intraoperative injection of thymoglobulin during renal transplantation in a patient with undiagnosed respiratory allergy to rabbit allergens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report reinforces the importance of identifying rabbit allergy by a simple combination of clinical interview followed by confirmatory skin testing or blood tests of all patients prior to injection of thymoglobulin, which is formally contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to rabbit proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy-Immunology, Pole de Biologie Pathologie Genetique Medicale du CHRU de Lille, Boulevard du professeur Leclercq, 59037 Lille Cedex, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brabant
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Facon
authors.affiliation: Department of Kidney Transplantation, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Provôt
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy-Immunology, Pole de Biologie Pathologie Genetique Medicale du CHRU de Lille, Boulevard du professeur Leclercq, 59037 Lille Cedex, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Labalette
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wallaert
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chenivesse
keywords: Anaphylactic allergic reaction; Rabbit proteins; Thymoglobulin