Hapten inhibition and dextran anaphylaxis

Abstract
Hapten inhibition with dextran 1 has been used in Sweden since 1982 to prevent severe anaphylactic reactions to dextran. This has led to a reduction in the reports of severe reactions to dextran from 22 per 100 000 units of dextran used between 1975 and 1979, to 1.2 per 100 000 units between 1983 and 1985. The number of fatal reactions decreased from 23 to one. More than 600 000 units of dextran were used during each period.