IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine among first- year dental students

• Main Authors: Mohamed Khazin, Sobrina, Abdullah, Dalia, Liew, Amy Kia Cheen, Harun, Nor Adilah, Abdullah, Noormalin, Bun, Can Chong
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: Springer Medizin 2019
• Subjects: RK Dentistry; RL Dermatology
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/74563/1/74563_IgE-mediated%20hypersensitivity%20to%20chlorhexidine.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/74563/2/74563_IgE-mediated%20hypersensitivity%20to%20chlorhexidine_MYRA.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/74563/3/74563_IgE-mediated%20hypersensitivity%20to%20chlorhexidine_SCOPUS.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/74563/; https://doi.org/10.1007/s40629-019-0103-5

Purpose To investigate immunoglobulin E (IgE)-medi- ated hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine (CHX), and as- sociation between CHX exposure and serum specific IgE (SIgE) levels, among first-year dental students. Methods Participants completed a questionnaire on medical health, history of allergies/hypersensitivities and CHX exposure. A sample of venous blood (3mL) was drawn and subjected to SIgE test to CHX; sensiti- sation defined as SIgE level of ≥0.10 kUA/L. Results Fifty-eight (98.3%) participants, consisting of 69% (n=40) female with a mean age of 21, were recruited; three quarters (84%) reported no known health issue, and over half had no history of allergies (57%); less than 20% reported having had exposure to CHX-containing products with the majority from toothpaste (9%) and mouthwash (12%). The CHX SIgE test showed that 8.6% (n = 5) were sensitised. No association between CHX exposure history and the level of SIgE antibody was noted. Conclusions Although most participants reported no known exposure to CHX, 8.6% showed CHX sensitisa- tion suggesting unknown exposure and the potential risk of developing hypersensitivity and adverse reac- tions in the future.