Anaphylactic shock induced by polyethylene glycol after bowel preparation for the colorectal cancer surgery: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used as an additive because of its hydrophilic and chemically inert properties. However, there are been increasing reports of PEG allergies, including anaphylaxis, although they are still rare. This case report aims to raise awareness, that the commonly used bowel cleansing agent containing PEG can cause serious allergic reactions.

CASE SUMMARY

Prior to surgery for sigmoid colon cancer, a 63-year-old man was prescribed a bowel cleansing agent containing PEG. Within 30 min of ingestion, he developed symptoms of anaphylactic shock and did not respond to initial intramuscular epinephrine injection. Under diagnosis of anaphylaxis to PEG, he was stabilized with fluid hydration and continuous norepinephrine infusion.

CONCLUSION

While allergic reactions to PEG are rare, they can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is crucial for clinicians to be aware of this possibility and to diagnose and resuscitate patients immediately.

Key Words: Polyethylene glycol, Anaphylaxis, Sigmoid colon cancer, Bowel preparation, Case report

Core Tip: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a widely used additive and generally considered a non-allergenic substance due to its chemical inertness and poor absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to its hydrophilic nature, it is also used as bowel cleansing agents before colonoscopy and colorectal surgery. Although allergic reactions to PEG are rare, reports of such allergies are increasing and can be life-threatening anaphylactic shock. By presenting a 63-year-old man who experienced anaphylactic shock during bowel preparation using PEG, we announced the allergic potential of PEG for timely diagnosis and proper management.

INTRODUCTION

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a widely used additive in medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries due to its hydrophilic nature. It acts as an osmotic laxative and a bulking and stabilizing agent[1]. Depending on its molecular weight (MW), various types of PEG are available, with larger MW being less absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract[2,3]. Although allergic reactions to PEG are rare, reports of such allergies are increasing and can range from mild hypersensitivity reactions like urticaria and pruritus to life-threatening anaphylactic shock[4].

Therefore, it is important to be aware of the allergic possibility of PEG and to provide proper management. In this case report, we present a 63-year-old man who experienced anaphylactic shock triggered by PEG 3350 for better understanding of the clinical features of anaphylaxis induced by PEG.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 63-year-old male developed systemic urticaria and pruritus after taking the PEG-containing agent for 30 min.

History of present illness

The patient was scheduled for the laparoscopic anterior resection under the diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer. The day before the surgery he took a bowel cleansing agent containing PEG for bowel preparation, and after 30 min of ingestion he developed symptoms.

History of past illness

The patient has taken aspirin and clopidogrel due to history of acute myocardial infarction, and is also a carrier of hepatitis B virus controlled with tenofovir, with no history of allergies. He received three doses of the Moderna vaccine without any other complications.

Personal and family history

The patient has no family history of allergy and cancer.

Physical examination

His blood pressure (BP) was 104/50 mmHg, and his heart rate was 105 beats per minute. Despite receiving intravenous injections of chlorpheniramine 4 mg and dexamethasone 5 mg, as well as hydration with 0.9% normal saline, his BP dropped to 84/42 mmHg with oxygen saturation of 87% on room air, indicating signs of anaphylactic shock. He received 0.3 mg of intramuscular epinephrine and supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula at 5 liters per minute. His oxygen saturation improved to 95%, but his BP remained low at 76/54 mmHg (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Graph of vital signs. SBP: Systolic blood pressure; DBP: Diastolic blood pressure; MBP: Mean blood pressure; HR: Heart rate.

Laboratory examinations

Lactic acid was elevated to 5.2 mmol/L. CK-MB and Troponin T were normal at first, but increased to 118.2 ng/mL and 1.770 ng/mL. To check the recurrence of myocardial infarction, the underlying disease of the patient, further evaluations were performed.

Imaging examinations

Chest X-rays were performed, and there were no specific findings.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Comprehensively considering patient progress and imaging examinations, PEG-induced anaphylactic shock was diagnosed.

TREATMENT

It was decided to transfer him to the intensive care unit for further resuscitation with norepinephrine infusion and close monitoring. To maintain hemodynamic stability, norepinephrine infusion was initiated at 0.1 mcg/kg/min. The patient’s hemodynamics were continuously monitored and resuscitated by placing right internal jugular central and right brachial arterial lines. His BP was stabilized within the normal range and eventually the norepinephrine infusion was discontinued. After he had fully recovered and stabilized, he underwent the scheduled surgery and was discharged on the 7^th post-operative day.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

After he had fully recovered and stabilized, he underwent the scheduled surgery and was discharged on the 7^th post-operative day.

DISCUSSION

PEGs, also known as macrogols, are hydrophilic polymers of ethylene. Depending on their MW, there are various types of PEGs ranging from 400 to 20000. Each type of PEG with different MW is used in various fields. Notably, the higher the MW, the less absorption occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, making it an ideal bowel cleansing agent before colon surgery or diagnostic colonoscopy[5].

Colyte^®, the bowel preparation agent taken by the patient in this case, contains 29.5 g of PEG 3350, 0.37 g of potassium chloride, 0.84 g of sodium bicarbonate, 0.73 g of sodium chloride and 2.85 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate. This formulation creates an osmotic gradient that causes the stool to retain water, loosening and softening it, increasing fecal bulk and promoting bowel movements. Due to the electrolyte concentration, there is little absorption or secretion of ions and water, such as sodium or potassium. Therefore, a large volume can be administered for a short time without significant changes in fluid and electrolyte balance. The most common adverse reactions, occurring in up to 50% of patients, are nausea, abdominal fullness, and bloating. Abdominal cramps, vomiting, and anal irritation are less common. Urticaria, rhinorrhea, dermatitis, and anaphylactic reactions have been rarely reported.

PEG is generally considered a non-allergenic substance due to its chemical inertness and poor absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. However, it can trigger an allergic reaction if the larger MW of PEG is absorbed and sensitized[6]. A study has shown that PEG is excreted in urine during gut lavage, suggesting that it can be absorbed and trigger an immune response[7].

After ingestion, PEG is typically not absorbed by the normal intestinal mucosa. However, if the mucosal barrier is impaired for any reason, PEG can be absorbed through mucosal breaks. Gastrointestinal diseases such as diverticulitis and ulcerative colitis can cause a loss of mucosal integrity. In one case, a 39-year-old man with a history of diverticulitis experienced an anaphylactic reaction after taking Colyte^®[8]. A study has shown that patients with active ulcerative colitis have a higher rate of PEG absorption than those in remission, and the absorption rate during remission is similar to that of those without the disease[9]. The patient in this case had the eccentric enhancing wall thickening of the sigmoid colon with an infiltrated polypoid lesion accompanying ulceration, which may have been a predisposing factor for anaphylaxis to Colyte^® (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Diagnostic images. A: The eccentric enhancing wall thickening of the sigmoid colon (arrow head); B: An infiltrated polypoid lesion accompanying ulceration, which may be a predisposing factor for anaphylaxis to Colyte^®.

A review article described 37 reported cases of PEG hypersensitivity, with symptoms ranging from skin irritation, such as urticaria, pruritus, and erythema, to life-threatening cardiovascular collapse, such as hypotension and respiratory distress[10]. In more than half of the cases, bowel cleanser was the cause of the allergic reactions, which is thought to be due to the high concentration of PEG and predisposing factor of colonoscopy or surgery, inflammation or damage to the gastrointestinal tract[10]. Additional cases of the allergic reactions caused by PEG-containing bowel cleanser are listed in Table 1.

Table 1 Additional cases of the allergic reactions caused by polyethylene glycol-containing bowel cleanser.

Age	Sex	Exposure	Symptoms	Ref.
39	Male	Colyte® (PEG 3350)	Hypotension, dyspnea, urticaria, itching	[15]
74	Male	HalfLytely® (PEG 3350)	Hypotension, erythema, hoarseness, choking sensation	[5]
30	Female	Golytely® (PEG 3350)	Urticaria, pruritus, erythema, chest tightness	[8]
52	Male	PEG-containing bowel cleansing agent (PEG 3350)	Hypotension, tachycardia, flushing, urticaria, wheezing, unconsciousness	[16]
36	Male	Bohm® (PEG 4000)	Urticaria, angioedema	[17]
44	Male	Bohm® (PEG 4000)	Urticaria, angioedema	[17]
52	Female	Golytely® (PEG 3350)	Dyspnea, angioedema, pruritus	[18]
70	Male	Golytely® (PEG 3350)	Oral tingling, tong swelling, angioedema, edema of lower extremity	[19]
44	Female	Golytely® (PEG 3350)	Unconsciousness, seizures	[20]

PEG: Polyethylene glycol.

It is worth noting that the MW of PEG determines whether an allergic reaction occurs. For instance, a 42-year-old woman who tolerated tablets containing PEG 4000 and PEG 8000 developed generalized urticaria and angioedema after taking tablets with PEG 20000[11]. Similarly, a 20-year-old man who was regularly prescribed Mesalazine MR (PEG 6000) without any allergic reaction developed near-fatal anaphylaxis after taking Gaviscon Double Action tablets (PEG 20000)[11]. PEG is used as a tablet coating agent, and it is believed to be very small, so it can be seen allergic reactions occurred depending on the MW.

The amount of ingested PEG is a critical factor in determining an individual’s allergic reaction. For example, a 44-year-old woman diagnosed with PEG allergy underwent an oral challenge test with PEG 4000. The patient had previously taken oral medications containing PEG 4000 without any allergic reactions. The oral test started with a dose of 1 mg of PEG 4000 and reached a cumulative dose of 7.1 g, which point the patient developed pruritus followed by edema of the lips, eyelids, feet, and hands[12]. Similarly, the patient in this case had taken Plavix^® (PEG 6000) for myocardial infarction, Gasmotin^® (PEG 6000), and Gaster^® (PEG 20000) for dyspepsia without any allergic reactions. Additionally, after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer, this patient received wound care with a Mepilex^® bandage (PEG-containing film) without any skin irritation. Although Colyte^® (PEG 3350) has a relatively small MW, one package contains 29.5 g of PEG, and this patient had taken more than two packages of Colyte^®. Thus, patients may have an individual MW threshold in combination with the amount of PEG ingested.

PEG 2000 is an excipient used in the production of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 mRNA vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. However, the incidence of anaphylaxis cases related to these vaccines is higher than expected, with 5.15 and 4.80 cases per million doses reported for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech respectively. This suggests that PEG may be a possible culprit of allergic reactions[13,14]. The patient in this case received three doses of the Moderna vaccine without any other complications but undergone allergy testing. So it is unclear whether the MW of the PEG contained in the vaccine is insufficient to sensitize, whether it is sufficient to sensitize but not enough to cause an allergic reaction, or whether the amount of PEG was insufficient to cause an allergic reaction. Further evaluation is necessary to determine the patient’s threshold and prevent potential allergic reactions.

At our medical center, the typical length of stay after sigmoid colon cancer surgery is seven days. However, due to this patient’s allergic reaction and subsequent elevation of CK-MB and Troponin I levels, the hospital stay was extended to 21 d to ensure that there were no signs of recurrent myocardial infarction before proceeding with surgery. Allergic reactions not only cause significant discomfort for the patient but can also be life-threatening and prolong hospitalization, even if the patient ultimately recovers.

CONCLUSION

PEG is widely used across various fields and is generally considered to cause few allergic reactions. However, in rare cases, it can trigger severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. Due to the low awareness of the allergenic potential of PEG and the challenges associated with avoiding its widespread use, patients with PEG allergy are at risk of under-diagnosis and repeated exposure. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to be aware of the potential for PEG which is used to bowel preparation before the colorectal surgery to cause allergic reactions, promptly diagnose cases of PEG allergy, and provide appropriate management to prevent future episodes of allergic reactions.