Aluminum adjuvant toxicity

[Guest guest]

from Meryl Nass, MD

Interestingly, it was reported in 2004 (below) that aluminum-

containing vaccines made in Denmark by the Statens Serum Institute

caused itchy nodules that lasted for years. The aluminum (alhydrogel

is the brand name) used in anthrax vaccine also comes from Denmark,

and anthrax vaccine also causes many longlasting nodules that often

itch. Dr. Philip Pittman (Special Immunization Program, Fort Detrick)

also suspected that aluminum was causing the local reactions seen with

anthrax vaccine. Aluminum was suspected by several researchers as

causing a new condition termed macrophagic macrofasciitis.

The following paper notes that many recipients developed an allergy to

aluminum, which could be very important. If you have developed a

contact allergy to aluminum, and do not know it, using aluminum pots

and pans might cause or contribute to gastrointestinal problems.

Meryl Nass, MD

Vaccine. 2003 Dec 8;22(1):64-9.

Erratum in: Vaccine. 2004 Mar 29;22(11-12):1586.

Unexpectedly high incidence of persistent itching nodules and delayed

hypersensitivity to aluminium in children after the use of adsorbed

vaccines from a single manufacturer.

Bergfors E, Trollfors B, Inerot A.

Department of Primary Health Care, Göteborg University, Box 454,

S-40530 Göteborg, Sweden. elisabet.bergfors@...

During trials of aluminium adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus/acellular

pertussis vaccines from a single producer, persistent itching nodules

at the vaccination site were observed in an unexpectedly high

frequency. The afflicted children were followed in a longitudinal

observational study, and the presence of aluminium sensitization was

investigated in the children with itching nodules and their

symptomless siblings by patch tests. Itching nodules were found in 645

children out of about 76,000 vaccinees (0.8%) after both subcutaneous

(s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) injection. The itching was intense and

long-lasting. So far, 75% still have symptoms after a median duration

of 4 years. Contact hypersensitivity to aluminium was demonstrated in

77% of the children with itching nodules and in 8% of the symptomless

siblings who had received the same vaccines (P<0.001). Children with

persistent itching nodules and/or aluminium sensitization should be

warned about aluminium containing products (e.g. vaccines and

antiperspirants). The reason for the high incidence of itching nodules

after SSI vaccines is unknown and should be further investigated.

Meryl Nass, MD

Mount Desert Island Hospital

Bar Harbor, Maine 04609

207 288-5081 ext. 220

http://anthraxvaccine.blogspot.com

http://www.anthraxvaccine.org