Premium
SELECTED ASPECTS OF PENICILLIN ALLERGY
Author(s) -
BAER RUDOLF L.,
FELLNER MICHAEL J.,
SIBULKIN DAVID
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1970.tb15024.x
Subject(s) - penicillin allergy , penicillin , allergy , medicine , dermatology , antibiotics , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
SUMMARY.— Skin tests for immediate hypersensitivity with penicillin derivatives and haemagglutination tests for penicilloyl‐specific IgG and IgM antibodies are useful in the prevention, diagnosis and management of clinical adverse reactions mediated by IgE antibodies. In rare instances, the skin tests themselves may cause clinical adverse reactions. Under suitable conditions, hyposensitization or temporary loss of skin sensitivity can be successfully brought about, even in individuals with a high degree of immediate hypersensitivity. Delayed hypersensitivity plays a role in mediating certain non‐urticarial forms of penicillin allergy, including some cases of exanthematous eruptions. The degree of delayed hypersensitivity consistently fluctuates to lower levels after administration of therapeutic doses of penicillin. Preliminary data are presented which suggest that infants who are given penicillin at birth form IgM penicilloyl‐specific serum antibodies much less frequently and in lower titres than occur after penicillin therapy later in life.