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Nonirritant intradermal skin test concentrations of ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and rifampicin
Author(s) -
Brož P.,
Harr Th.,
Hecking C.,
Grize L.,
Scherer K.,
Jaeger K. A.,
Bircher A. J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2012.02807.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ciprofloxacin , clarithromycin , antibiotics , rifampicin , laser doppler velocimetry , dermatology , pathology , blood flow , tuberculosis , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , helicobacter pylori
Background Intradermal skin testing of the clinically important antibiotics ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and rifampicin in the case of suspected allergies to antibiotics is poorly standardized. For clinical practice, standardized procedures and protocols are desired. Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers were tested with different concentrations of the antibiotics as well as with appropriate controls. Test readings included wheal area measured by digital image analysis and blood flow increase measured by laser Doppler flowmetry ( LDF ). To reduce interpersonal variability, test results were normalized with the individual controls using a novel protocol. Results Nonirritating concentrations of the three antibiotics (ciprofloxacin ~0.0067 mg/ml, clarithromycin ~0.05 mg/ml, rifampicin ~0.002 mg/ml) could be defined for healthy volunteers. Laser D oppler flowmetry generates comparable results to wheal area measurement. Normalization of the test results is necessary and can be applied in a practical algorithm. Conclusions Standardized skin testing to detect sensitization to broadly used nonbetalactam antibiotics was presented and should be applied in truly sensitized patients. This approach should help to minimize the inter‐ and intraindividual differences in reactivity.