Immediate and Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions to Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

Predictive models and applicability of artificial intelligence-based approaches in drug allergy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Drug allergy is responsible for a huge burden on public healthcare systems, representing in some instances a threat for patient's life. Diagnosis is complex due to the heterogeneity of clinical phenotypes and mechanisms involved, the limitations of in vitro tests, and the associated risk to in vivo tests. Predictive models, including those using recent advances in artificial intelligence, may circumvent these drawbacks, leading to an appropriate classification of patients and improving their management in clinical settings.

RECENT FINDINGS

Scores and predictive models to assess drug allergy development, including patient risk stratification, are scarce and usually apply logistic regression analysis. Over recent years, different methods encompassed under the general umbrella of artificial intelligence, including machine and deep learning, and artificial neural networks, are emerging as powerful tools to provide reliable and optimal models for clinical diagnosis, prediction, and precision medicine in different types of drug allergy.

SUMMARY

This review provides general concepts and current evidence supporting the potential utility of predictive models and artificial intelligence branches in drug allergy diagnosis.

Early testing and grade of the reaction are affecting factors of skin test positivity in β-Lactam allergies

Background: β-Lactams are the most widely used antibiotic family in the world. Nevertheless, they also stand out as the primary culprits for inducing drug hypersensitivity reactions (HSR). Methods: Between May 2018 and March 2023, patients with suspected HSRs to β-lactams, who underwent skin tests (ST), were retrospectively screened. The determinants of allergenic penicillin (DAP) tests, which include penicillin minor and major determinants, clavulanic acid, and amoxicillin, along with ampicillin, sulbactam, the identified culprit drugs, and alternative cephalosporins, which include cefuroxime, ceftriaxone prick and/or intradermal tests, were administered. The analysis focused on identifying positive ST results and determining the true HSRs rates in this patient cohort. Results: Of the 147 patients, 78.9% (n = 116) were women and the median (minimum-maximum) age was 41 years (18-71 years). Mild HSRs (grades 1-2) were observed in 72.78% (n = 107), whereas 24.4% (n = 36) had severe reactions (grades 3-4) and 2.7% (n = 4) had an unknown grade. Of the patients, 64% (n = 94) experienced HSRs within the first hour after the last dose of the identified culprit drug. The overall positivity rate for all STs was 26.5% (n = 39). ST positivity rates were notably higher in individuals who had experienced HSRs within the past 6 months (p = 0.02) and those with severe anaphylaxis (p < 0.001). Conclusion: β-Lactam ST positivity is higher, especially in those with grades 3-4 reactions and consulted a physician within the first 6 months after their HSRs.

Veterinary Drug Residues in the Food Chain as an Emerging Public Health Threat: Sources, Analytical Methods, Health Impacts, and Preventive Measures

Veterinary medications are necessary for both contemporary animal husbandry and food production, but their residues can linger in foods obtained from animals and pose a dangerous human risk. In this review, we aim to highlight the sources, occurrence, human exposure pathways, and human health effects of drug residues in food-animal products. Following the usage of veterinary medications, pharmacologically active compounds known as drug residues can be found in food, the environment, or animals. They can cause major health concerns to people, including antibiotic resistance development, the development of cancer, teratogenic effects, hypersensitivity, and disruption of normal intestinal flora. Drug residues in animal products can originate from variety of sources, including water or food contamination, extra-label drug use, and ignoring drug withdrawal periods. This review also examines how humans can be exposed to drug residues through drinking water, food, air, and dust, and discusses various analytical techniques for identifying these residues in food. Furthermore, we suggest some potential solutions to prevent or reduce drug residues in animal products and human exposure pathways, such as implementing withdrawal periods, monitoring programs, education campaigns, and new technologies that are crucial for safeguarding public health. This review underscores the urgency of addressing veterinary drug residues as a significant and emerging public health threat, calling for collaborative efforts from researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that ensure the safety of the global food supply chain.

Genetic association of beta-lactams-induced hypersensitivity reactions: A systematic review of genome-wide evidence and meta-analysis of candidate genes

Importance

Beta-lactams (BLs) are the most prescribed antibiotics, being the most frequent cause of drug allergy. However, the association between BL allergy and genetic variations is still unclear.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the genetic effects of BL-induced hypersensitivity using existing evidence.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library from inception to September 15, 2022 with no language restriction. Genetic association studies investigating genetic variant/polymorphism and risk of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions among individuals receiving BL-antibiotics were included. We excluded studies of acute interstitial nephritis, drug-induced liver injury, serum sickness, and isolated drug fever. Data were comprehensively synthesized and quality of study were assessed using STrengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association Studies (STREGA). The record screening, extraction and quality assessment were performed by two reviewers and discussions were made to resolve discrepancies. The effects of each variant were pooled and evaluated by modified Venice criteria.

Results

A total of 9276 records were identified, and 31 studies were eligible for inclusion. Twenty-seven were candidate-gene association studies (5416 cases and 5939 controls), while the others were next-generation sequencing (NGS) or genome-wide association studies (GWASs) (119 838 cases and 1 487 111 controls). Forty-nine polymorphisms were identified and most of them located in allergic reaction pathways. Meta-analyses of 15 candidate variants in a mixture of both immediate and non-immediate reactions revealed weak genetic effects of rs1801275 (8 studies; n = 1,560; odd ratio 0.73; 95%CI: 0.57-0.93) and rs20541 (4 studies; n = 1,482; odd ratio 1.34; 95%CI: 1.07-1.68) in IL4R and IL13, respectively. Results from GWASs and NGS identified, and confirmed associations in HLA regions including HLA-DRA, HLA-B, HLA-DQA, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DRB3.

Conclusion

Our study summarized genetic evidence influencing BL-induced hypersensitivity and estimated effects of potential variants. We postulated that the genomic studies provide better insights to the mechanism of reactions and suggest potential effects of HLA Class II variants. However, results were inconsistent and unable to generalize in different settings. Further high-throughput studies with a well-defined function, epigenetic interaction, incorporated with clinical factors, would be beneficial for risk identification in BL-induced hypersensitivity.

Antibiotics use patterns in end-of-life cancer patients and medical staff's perception of antimicrobial stewardship programs

BACKGROUND/AIMS

While most cancer patients with end-of-life (EOL) care receive antibiotic treatments, antibiotic use should be decided appropriately considering the benefits, side effects, resistance, and cost effects. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) are important for patients with EOL care, but there is limited study analyzing actual antibiotic use in EOL care and the perceptions of Korean medical staff.

METHODS

Electronic medical records of 149 deceased cancer patients hospitalized in the medical hospitalist units at Asan Medical Center in Seoul from May 2019 to September 2021 were reviewed. Basic information, antibiotic use, duration, and changes were investigated. We surveyed medical staff's perceptions of antibiotics in cancer patients with EOL.

RESULTS

Of the 149 cancer patients with EOL care, 146 (98.0%) agreed with physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST). In total, 143 (95.9%) received antibiotics, 110 (76.9%) received combination antibiotic treatment, and 116 (81.1%) were given antibiotics until the day of death. In a survey of 60 medical staff, 42 (70.0%) did not know about ASP, and 24 (40.0%) thought ASP was important in EOL care. Nineteen doctors (31.7%) discussed the use or discontinuation of antibiotics with patients or caregivers when writing POLST, but only 8 patients (5.6%) stopped antibiotics after POLST.

CONCLUSION

Most cancer patients with EOL care continue to receive antibiotics until just before their death. A careful approach is needed, considering the benefits and side effects of antibiotic use, and the patient's right to self-decision. It is necessary to actively improve awareness of ASP and its importance for medical staff.

Genetic Identification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Carriage and Its Antibiogram among Kidney Dialysis Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in AL-Karak, Jordan

Background. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major bacterial pathogen. Aim. The present study aimed to determine the incidence of MRSA infections among kidney dialysis patients and the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and investigate the prevalence of mecA gene among MRSA isolates. Materials and Methods. A total of 83 nasal sterile cotton swabs samples were obtained from hemodialysis patients from Al-Karak Governmental Hospital, Al-Karak, Jordan. Collected and cultured on nutrient agar and mannitol salt agar and incubating at 37°C for 24–48 hours, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains were identified by gram stain, coagulase test, and catalase tests. The MRSA isolates were tested for the presence of MecA and SCCmec genes using the Xpert SA Nasal Complete assay real-time PCR. Factors such as age and gender were included in the study. The antibiotic profile tested by using the disc diffusion method tested all MRSA isolates. Results. This study showed that 10.8% of the cultures’ growth was S. aureus and 9.6% of all the patients were infected with MRSA, with no relationship between the number and frequency of MRSA according to the patient’s gender or age. All MRSA (100%) isolates have both genes (MecA genes and SCCmec genes), and all samples were resistant to oxacillin, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, aztreonam, and ampicillin. Conclusion. The MRSA prevalence was determined among kidney dialysis patients in the hospital. All positive samples were resistant to oxacillin, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, aztreonam, and ampicillin, which is a very rare finding, and this will give the scientists and doctors a dangerous indication about health-care centers in the Al-Karak city of Jordan.

Etiological causes in patients with acute urticaria and angioedema: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Acute urticaria and angioedema are emergency dermatological conditions associated with various etiologic factors.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the etiological causes in patients with acute urticaria and angioedema, and to investigate whether more than one etiological cause was present, along with the patients' laboratory values.

METHODS

The study was conducted in a tertiary hospital with one center. Etiological causes and laboratory parameters in 284 patients diagnosed with acute urticaria and angioedema were retrospectively studied.

RESULTS

A total of 284 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 42.7 ± 15.6 years, where 163 (57.4%) were women and 121 (42.6%) were men. Acute urticaria and angioedema occurred together in 149 (52.5%) patients. At least one precipitating factor among the predisposing risk factors was present in 220 (77.5%) patients, and more than one precipitating factor was found in 51 (18%) patients. Medication use was found in 157 (55.3%) patients and infection in 54 (19%). The development of urticaria after food consumption was noted in nine (3.2%) individuals. A history of infection and medication intake was present in 50 (17.6%) patients. A joint history of food consumption and medication intake was present in only one patient. Elevated C-reactive protein level was found in 178 (62.7%) patients and elevated anti-streptolysin O titer in 41 (14.4%) patients. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 116 (40.8%) patients and vitamin D deficiency in 254 (89.4%).

CONCLUSION

Acute urticaria and angioedema may occur as a result of multiple etiological factors, in which different triggers may be present simultaneously.

Genetic Association of Beta-Lactams-Induced Hypersensitivity Reactions: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Beta-lactam (BL) antibiotics are among the drugs commonly related to hypersensitivity reactions. Several candidate gene studies and genome-wide association studies have reported associations of genetic variants and hypersensitivity reactions induced by BL antibiotics. However, the results were inconclusive. This protocol details a comprehensive systematic review of genetic factors associated with BL-induced hypersensitivity. A systematic search of literature related to genetic associations of BL-induced hypersensitivity will be performed through PubMed, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane central register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from their inception dates with no language restrictions. Two reviewers will independently screen, extract, and appraise the risk of bias. Frequencies of genetic variants that comply with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium will be extracted and pooled. Genetic models will be applied to variant effect calculation as per allele and genotype analysis. Based on statistical heterogeneity among studies, common effect estimation (odds ratio) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval will be analyzed. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses will be performed to determine the robustness of eligible studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide comprehensive evidence of genetic effects regarding BL-induced hypersensitivity. The findings will enlighten the determination of disease-related genotypes that would potentially reveal allergy profiling in patients.

Temporal Modulation of Drug Desensitization Procedures

Drug hypersensitivity reactions are an unavoidable clinical consequence of the presence of new therapeutic agents. These adverse reactions concern patients afflicted with infectious diseases (e.g., hypersensitivity to antibiotics), and with non-infectious chronic diseases, such as in cancers, diabetes or cystic fibrosis treatments, and may occur at the first drug administration or after repeated exposures. Here we revise recent key studies on the mechanisms underlying the desensitization protocols, and propose an additional temporal regulation layer that is based on the circadian control of the signaling pathway involved and on the modulation of the memory effects established by the desensitization procedures.