Fatal Systemic Anaphylaxis in Man

Abstract

THE use of diphtheria antitoxin near the turn of the century ushered in a period of serum therapy that accounted for many reports of fatal systemic anaphylaxis in man. Some of these cases were tabulated in 1924 by Lamson1 and in 1930 by Sheppe,2 who noted that autopsy data were obtained in only 15 cases and were not always adequately detailed. With the development of vaccines and normal or immune gamma globulin serum therapy has become less frequent, and penicillin administration is currently the major iatrogenic cause of systemic anaphylaxis.3 , 4 Skin testing,5 insect bites6 and intravenous urography7 less frequently result . . .