Allergy to antibiotics in children: an overestimated problem

Desensitization in children allergic to drugs: Indications, protocols, and limits

Any drug can potentially induce a hypersensitivity reaction. If after the allergological work-up the drug hypersensitivity reaction is confirmed, in most cases, the simple avoidance of the culprit drug and a suggestion of an unrelated alternative is enough. However, there are circumstances where the choice to stop the treatment affects the survival, the safety and/or the quality of life of the patient and the global outcome of the disease in question. When this occurs, drug desensitization can be the answer and should not be viewed as an extravagance, nor the pediatric age should be considered a contraindication. Drug desensitization in children can be safely and successfully performed, having a positive impact on the survival and overall prognosis. In general, the indications for DDS are the same in adults as in children. However, in this age group there are specificities that this paper aimed to describe, reviewing the mechanisms behind drug hypersensitivity and rapid drug desensitization, types of protocols, indications, and contraindications, as well as several technical aspects that are specific to the pediatric age.

Beta-lactam hypersensitivity in children: Frequency and risk factors

AIMS

To determine the frequency of an authentic β-lactam (BL) hypersensitivity (HS) amongst a large number of children and to identify clinical risk factors that predict this hypersensitivity.

METHODS

All children with suspected BL allergy were evaluated by skin tests (ST) with the suspected BL. A 1-day oral provocation test (OPT) was performed in children with negative ST. We defined an authentic BL-HS case if the child exhibited a positive ST or a positive OPT. Risk factors associated with BL-HS were assessed using a univariate analysis. Covariates showing a P-value <.2 were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine independent predictors.

RESULTS

A total of 354 patients reporting 368 suspected BL reactions were included. The diagnosis of BL-HS was established in 24 children (6.7%). All these children had a positive ST. OPT was performed in 30 patients and was negative in all of them. In 110 children with a negative ST, BL was tolerated. In the risk factors analysis, 164 children were included. Older age (>5 years) at the reaction (odds ratio = 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.22; P = .02) and BL administered (odds ratio = 7.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.76-21.8; P < .001) were significantly associated with authentic BL-HS.

CONCLUSION

BL-HS should be evaluated with an appropriate allergy work-up before strict prohibition is made. In addition, age of patient and BL involved can be used as predictive factors of developing BL-HS in this population.

Confirmation of Drug Allergy in a General Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic

BACKGROUND

The studies including diagnostic workup on true drug allergy in children are limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of confirmed drug allergies in children with a history of suspected drug allergies who had applied to the general paediatric outpatient clinics of our hospital due to various health problems.

METHODS

The history of drug allergy was questioned in children who applied to the general pediatric outpatient clinics of our hospital. Allergy tests were performed to confirm drug allergy in children whose history was compatible with drug allergy.

RESULTS

In this study, the parents of 5,553 children aged between 4 months and 17.9 years were asked, "Has your child ever developed an allergy after drug use?". Seven percent of parents (n=389/5,553) thought that their child had a drug allergy. When these patients were evaluated by a paediatric allergist, it was suspected that 21.1% (n=82/389) had a drug allergy. When diagnostic tests were performed for drug allergies, drug allergy was confirmed in only 4.2% (n=3/72). As a result, the frequency of drug allergies according to the history was 1.47% (n=82/5,553) in the population we studied, while the frequency of confirmed drug allergies was found to be 0.05% (n=3/5,553).

CONCLUSION

The patient and/or parent statements alone are not sufficient for the diagnosis of drug allergies in children. In order to confirm or rule out drug allergies, drug allergy tests must be performed and so unnecessary drug restrictions can be avoided.

Cephalosporins-induced intestinal dysbiosis exacerbated pulmonary endothelial barrier disruption in streptococcus pneumoniae-infected mice

Antibiotic abuse is growing more severe in clinic, and even short-term antibiotic treatment can cause long-term gut dysbiosis, which may promote the development and aggravation of diseases. Cephalosporins as the broad-spectrum antibiotics are widely used for prevention and treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infection in children. However, their potential consequences in health and disease have not been fully elaborated. In this study, the effects of cefaclor, cefdinir and cefixime on intestinal microbiota and lung injury were investigated in Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn)-infected mice. The results showed that the proportion of coccus and bacillus in intestinal microbiota were changed after oral administration with cefaclor, cefdinir and cefixime twice for 10 days, respectively. Compared with the Spn-infected group, the proportion of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in intestine were significantly reduced, while Enterococcus and Candida was increased after cephalosporin treatment. Furthermore, 3 cephalosporins could obviously increase the number of total cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes in BALF as well as the serum levels of endotoxin, IL-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Mechanically, cephalosporins accelerated Spn-induced pulmonary barrier dysfunction via mediating the mRNA expressions of endothelial barrier-related proteins (Claudin 5, Occludin, and ZO-1) and inflammation-related proteins (TLR4, p38 and NF-κB). However, all of those consequences could be partly reversed by Bifidobacterium bifidum treatment, which was closely related to the elevated acetate production, indicating the protective effects of probiotic against antibiotic-induced intestinal dysbiosis. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that oral administration with cephalosporins not only disrupted intestinal microecological homeostasis, but also increased the risk of Spn infection, resulting in severer respiratory inflammation and higher bacterial loads in mice.

Standards for practical intravenous rapid drug desensitization & delabeling: A WAO committee statement

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) to intravenous drugs can be severe and might leave patients and doctors in a difficult position where an essential treatment or intervention has to be suspended. Even if virtually any intravenous medication can potentially trigger a life-threatening DHR, chemotherapeutics, biologics, and antibiotics are amongst the intravenous drugs most frequently involved in these reactions. Admittedly, suspending such treatments may negatively impact the survival outcomes or the quality of life of affected patients. Delabeling pathways and rapid drug desensitization (RDD) can help reactive patients stay on first-choice therapies instead of turning to less efficacious, less cost-effective, or more toxic alternatives. However, these are high-complexity and high-risk techniques, which usually need expert teams and allergy-specific techniques (skin testing, in vitro testing, drug provocation testing) to ensure safety, an accurate diagnosis, and personalized management. Unfortunately, there are significant inequalities within and among countries in access to allergy departments with the necessary expertise and resources to offer these techniques and tackle these DHRs optimally. The main objective of this consensus document is to create a great benefit for patients worldwide by aiding allergists to expand the scope of their practice and support them with evidence, data, and experience from leading groups from around the globe. This statement of the Drug Hypersensitivity Committee of the World Allergy Organization (WAO) aims to be a comprehensive practical guide on the technical aspects of implementing acute-onset intravenous hypersensitivity delabeling and RDD for a wide range of drugs. Thus, the manuscript does not only focus on clinical pathways. Instead, it also provides guidance on topics usually left unaddressed, namely, internal validation, continuous quality improvement, creating a healthy multidisciplinary environment, and redesigning care (including a specific supplemental section on a real-life example of how to design a dedicated space that can combine basic and complex diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in allergy).

Drug hypersensitivity in children: a retrospective analysis of 101 pharmacovigilance reports

Our objective was to describe and discuss management of recent cases of drug hypersensitivity in children reported in a pharmacovigilance center. Two pediatric allergy units conducted a collaborative retrospective analysis of 101 adverse drug reactions reported to a regional pharmacovigilance center between January 2016 and July 2019. Time lapse between hypersensitivity reaction onset and allergy consultation varied from 1 month to 12 years. Sixty-two patients (61.4%) presented with immediate reactions, 11 (10.9%) with non-immediate reactions, and 28 (27.7%) had reactions impossible to classify through medical interview. Overall, 92 children (91%) were explored for simultaneously administered drugs. All 113 prick tests were negative, and 2 were uncertain. Among 108 intradermal tests, 2 were positive to penicillin and to an iodinated contrast medium, 105 were negative, and 1 was uncertain. Overall, 129 drug provocation tests were proposed. Nine provocation tests among 80 were positive (11.25%): 6 to penicillin, 1 to sulfonamide antibiotics, and 2 to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; the remaining 71 were negative. No severe reaction was observed during these tests. Finally, drug allergy was only retained in 11 reported cases (10.9%).Conclusion: These pharmacovigilance reports show the difficulty in defining drug allergy in children only by anamnesis, and that explorations, particularly provocation tests, should take place at a reasonable time lapse after drug hypersensitivity reaction onset. What is Known: • True drug allergy is rarely observed in children. • Absence of full workup leads to falsely labeling children as "allergic." What is New: • Short time lapse between hypersensitivity onset and consultation improves classification of pediatric allergy. • Timely allergy consultations are essential, and tests are useful to confirm or exclude pediatric allergy.

The use of direct oral challenge to confirm allergies to penicillin class antibiotics in Danish children

Background

A high number of children are referred to pediatric departments with a suspected allergic reaction to antibiotics. The prevalence of true allergy is considered to be significantly lower than shown from clinical history and symptoms alone. This study investigated the historical use of direct oral challenges at three specialist pediatric departments in Denmark.

Methods

In this retrospective medical record review study, 141 children (69 boys and 72 girls) with a clinical history of suspected penicillin class allergy were investigated. A standardized questionnaire for drug allergy was completed in the beginning of the investigation, which also included a skin prick test (SPT), measurement of IgE to different types of penicillin, and a drug challenge (DC).

Results

Only four (2.8%) of the patients referred for further investigation in our study had a positive DC. We found no correlation between a positive DC, positive SPT or elevated specific IgE. None of the patients with a positive DC reacted with a rash alone prior to investigation.

Conclusions

Allergy to penicillin in children is rare and probably overestimated. In children reacting to penicillin with a rash alone, our study indicated that the rash was probably not related to allergy and treatment should thus be continued.

Antibiotic prescription patterns for treating dental infections in children among general and pediatric dentists in teaching institutions of Karachi, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Antibiotics are regularly prescribed by dental professionals in their practice, for the purpose of dental treatment as well as for the prevention of infection. The inappropriate use of antibiotics is a significant factor in the rise of antibiotic resistance. There is an immediate need for the advancement of prescribing guidelines and instructive polices to encourage the rational and appropriate utilization of medications especially antibiotics in dentistry.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of antibiotic prescription for treating dental infections in children among dentists in teaching institutions of Karachi, Pakistan and whether they are adhering to the prescribed international guidelines.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three private and two public colleges of Karachi. After taking written informed consent and checking the inclusion criteria, a total of 380 participants were interviewed using a pre-designed validated questionnaire which included demographic profile and clinical case scenarios. Data were entered and analyzed on SPSS version 20. Inferential analysis was performed using chi-square test. The significance level was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

Of the 380 subjects, a majority (71.3%) treated 15 or less children per month (n = 271) while 28.7% of dentists (n = 109) treated more than 15 children per month. Overall adherence to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines was low from 26.1% to 44.2%. The difference between adherence of dentists with low and high volume of pediatric patients was significantly different for case scenarios 1, 3, 4 and 5 (p<0.001 for all) where dentists who treated 15 or less children per month were more likely to be adherent to standard antibiotic prescription guidelines than those who treated more than 15 children per month.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that majority of dentists, particularly dentists with high volume of pediatric patients lacked adherence to professional guidelines for prescribing antibiotics for treating dental infection in children. There seem to be a lack of harmony between the recommended professional guidelines and the antibiotic prescribing pattern of dentists. Regular updates and continuing medical education for the health professionals regarding comprehensible and specific professional guidelines may lead to improved adherence of antibiotics prescription amongst dentists.

Drug Allergy in Children: What Should We Know?

The drug allergy "label" may have a lifetime of consequences for a child. Many children with alleged drug allergies are proven to be tolerant to the culprit medication when challenged. The field of drug hypersensitivity is a recently evolving field of research, but studies on its epidemiology and diagnostic tools are lacking in children. Clinical history is significant in the diagnosis and classification of drug hypersensitivity in children. Diagnostic tools have been evaluated in a limited number of children; therefore, the guidelines are mainly in line with those for adults. Here, we review the clinical characteristics, main drugs, risk factors, and diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity to aid in its accurate diagnosis in children.

Protocols for drug allergy desensitization in children

Introduction: When a drug hypersensitivity reaction is proven, desensitization protocols allow the reintroduction of the molecule in patients for whom such therapy is essential. Through drug desensitization (DDS), a temporary immune tolerance is maintained for the single course of a specific therapy. In pediatrics, indications for such a procedure include children with chronic diseases, severe infectious diseases and/or malignancies, who have a proven drug hypersensitivity.Areas covered: We ran a search on PubMed and Web of Science for papers on DDS and on DDS in children. Most protocols and recommendations on DDS focus on adults and have been adapted for children. The best candidates for desensitization are children with a history of immediate, IgE-mediated drug allergy, but this therapy may be applied also in nonallergic hypersensitivities and in non-immediate reactions. Most protocols in literature focus on antibiotics, especially beta-lactams, on chemotherapeutic agents, and on monoclonal antibodies.Expert opinion: Pediatric allergists should cooperate with specialists in infectious diseases and onco-hematology to provide DDS to children in need. Standardized protocols and international guidelines are still needed to optimize such treatment and to implement it in clinical daily practice.

US Emergency Department Visits for Adverse Drug Events From Antibiotics in Children, 2011-2015

BACKGROUND

Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed medications for children; however, at least one-third of pediatric antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary. National data on short-term antibiotic-related harms could inform efforts to reduce overprescribing and to supplement interventions that focus on the long-term benefits of reducing antibiotic resistance.

METHODS

Frequencies and rates of emergency department (ED) visits for antibiotic adverse drug events (ADEs) in children were estimated using adverse event data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance project and retail pharmacy dispensing data from QuintilesIMS (2011-2015).

RESULTS

On the basis of 6542 surveillance cases, an estimated 69464 ED visits (95% confidence interval, 53488-85441) were made annually for antibiotic ADEs among children aged ≤19 years from 2011 to 2015, which accounts for 46.2% of ED visits for ADEs that results from systemic medication. Two-fifths (40.7%) of ED visits for antibiotic ADEs involved a child aged ≤2 years, and 86.1% involved an allergic reaction. Amoxicillin was the most commonly implicated antibiotic among children aged ≤9 years. When we accounted for dispensed prescriptions, the rates of ED visits for antibiotic ADEs declined with increasing age for all antibiotics except sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Amoxicillin had the highest rate of ED visits for antibiotic ADEs among children aged ≤2 years, whereas sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim resulted in the highest rate among children aged 10 to 19 years (29.9 and 24.2 ED visits per 10000 dispensed prescriptions, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotic ADEs lead to many ED visits, particularly among young children. Communicating the risks of antibiotic ADEs could help reduce unnecessary prescribing. Prevention efforts could target pediatric patients who are at the greatest risk of harm.

Antibacterial prescription in Italian preschool children: analysis of 7 years of data from the Emilia-Romagna region reimbursement database

OBJECTIVES

To describe antibacterial prescribing patterns in outpatients aged 0-5 years from 2007 to 2013 in the Emilia-Romagna region, assessing sex- and age-specific consumption over time.

METHODS

All children aged 0-5 years resident in the Emilia-Romagna region who received at least one prescription of a systemic antibacterial in the period 2007-13 were enrolled. The prescriptions of systemic antibacterials to children were collected from the regional prescription database. Data were stratified by year, sex and age, and analysed in terms of periodic prevalence and of annual prescription rate per 1000 person-years.

RESULTS

The prevalence of children receiving at least one prescription per year varied from 68.0% in 2007 to 59.0% in 2013, while the average prevalence of children receiving five or more prescriptions per year was 6.96%. The annual prescription rate varied from 1621.26 in 2007 to 1372.27 in 2013. Penicillins + β-lactamase inhibitors accounted for 35.3% of total prescriptions, followed by extended-spectrum penicillins (28.6%), macrolides (17.0%) and third-generation cephalosporins (13.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite recommendations, a significant overprescription of antibacterials to children still exists, showing no satisfactory improvements over the years. In contrast to Northern European countries, adherence to evidence-based guidelines was poor, with frequent prescribing of broad-spectrum agents for the treatment of mostly viral childhood infectious disease.

Skin tests are important in children with β-lactam hypersensitivity, but may be reduced in number

BACKGROUND

There is no perfect agreement on how to perform an allergy workup in suspected beta-lactam (BL)-allergic children, since skin test (ST)-induced pain is often a limitation. The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of reducing the number of ST in children when performing a complete allergy workup for BL hypersensitivity reactions.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients referring to the Allergy Unit of the University Hospital of Montpellier (France) with positive responses in immediateand non-immediate-reading ST to a BL over a 16-year period was performed, to determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of ST. All pediatric patients with a suspected BL hypersensitivity were skin-tested with the suspected drug only, during the following 54 months.

RESULTS

A total of 319 patients reporting 328 BL reactions were included in the retrospective study. The PPV of ST for the reported drug was of 99.4%. Based on the results, the number of patients to include in the prospective study was estimated to be 101. In the prospective study, 229 children were included. We diagnosed a BL hypersensitivity in 12 children (5.2%): Diagnosis was reached in 6 (50.0%) through ST (delayed reading for all) and in 6 through drug provocation test (DPT).

CONCLUSION

ST with BL should therefore be performed as a screening test, before DPT, and testing only the suspected drug may be sufficient when dealing with children.

Recent developments in drug hypersensitivity in children

Introduction: Drug allergy is an important public health problem that causes 0.4-10.3% of hospital admissions in children. The epidemiology, clinical spectrum, diagnosis, and management of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) differ in pediatric and adult patients. However, the same algorithms used in adults have often been applied in the pediatric population due to a lack of evidence in the literature. Areas covered: In this review, we aimed to discuss recent developments in the area of pediatric DHRs based on the growing body of literature advancing our understanding of the epidemiology, clinical aspects, and diagnostic approaches to DHRs in children. Expert opinion: Misdiagnosis, under-diagnosis, and self-diagnosis are common problems related to drug allergies in children. Viral infections are particularly frequent in children and make diagnosis difficult. Identifying true DHR is a key step in the management of drug allergy in children. Therefore, a complete allergy work-up with standardized drug allergy tests is necessary. In order to eliminate non-standardized tests, future studies including larger numbers of children should be conducted to determine more accurate standardized tests for diagnosing DHRs in the pediatric population.

Pediatric Drug Hypersensitivity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pediatric drug hypersensitivity is a rapidly evolving field. The purpose of this paper is to review the current state of pediatric drug hypersensitivity and highlight new developments in diagnosis and management.

RECENT FINDINGS

This paper will discuss the safety and use of risk stratification to proceed directly to oral challenge without prior skin testing for β-lactam reactions. We review unique aspects of pediatric drug challenges and desensitizations. It is important to accurately diagnose pediatric drug hypersensitivity reactions through a detailed history, physical examination, and available diagnostic testing. Understanding of the underlying mechanism leads to appropriate classification which is necessary to direct management. The decision to perform drug challenge, desensitization, or recommend avoidance of a medication can have a significant impact on a patient's treatment. Utilization of weight-based dose and infusion rate adjustments for current drug challenge and desensitization protocols optimize success.

Provocation Tests in Nonimmediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to β-Lactam Antibiotics in Children: Are Extended Challenges Needed?

BACKGROUND

β-Lactam antibiotics are the most common trigger of reactions in children with most of them being nonimmediate (85.5%), but proven allergy after the allergological workup is between 7% and 10%. There is no agreement on how to perform the provocation tests in these types of hypersensitivity reactions.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether or not repeated doses of the β-lactams are required to reproduce a nonimmediate reaction in children.

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational study. We included children under 14 years who were referred for a nonimmediate reaction to β-lactams. All patients underwent a 1-day hospital provocation and were kept under observation at home during the following days for at least the time elapsed between the first dose and the symptoms of the index reaction. If no reaction was triggered, the patient resumed the provocation at home with 2 daily therapeutic doses for an equal of interval time.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven patients were included in the study. A positive reaction was recorded in 14 of them (14.4%). The short hospital provocation triggered 3 immediate reactions and 8 delayed reactions. The home rechallenge developed 1 immediate reaction and 2 delayed reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonimmediate reactions to β-lactams in children may be triggered with a 1-day provocation test. We suggest to perform a 1-day provocation test followed by an observational period of at least the time interval of the index reaction. If this challenge is negative, an extended home provocation could subsequently be carried out.

Antibiotic Allergy in Pediatrics

The overlabeling of pediatric antibiotic allergy represents a huge burden in society. Given that up to 10% of the US population is labeled as penicillin allergic, it can be estimated that at least 5 million children in this country are labeled with penicillin allergy. We now understand that most of the cutaneous symptoms that are interpreted as drug allergy are likely viral induced or due to a drug-virus interaction, and they usually do not represent a long-lasting, drug-specific, adaptive immune response to the antibiotic that a child received. Because most antibiotic allergy labels acquired in childhood are carried into adulthood, the overlabeling of antibiotic allergy is a liability that leads to unnecessary long-term health care risks, costs, and antibiotic resistance. Fortunately, awareness of this growing burden is increasing and leading to more emphasis on antibiotic allergy delabeling strategies in the adult population. There is growing literature that is used to support the safe and efficacious use of tools such as skin testing and drug challenge to evaluate and manage children with antibiotic allergy labels. In addition, there is an increasing understanding of antibiotic reactivity within classes and side-chain reactions. In summary, a better overall understanding of the current tools available for the diagnosis and management of adverse drug reactions is likely to change how pediatric primary care providers evaluate and treat patients with such diagnoses and prevent the unnecessary avoidance of antibiotics, particularly penicillins.

Antibiotic Prescribing for Oro-Facial Infections in the Paediatric Outpatient: A Review

There are many reports on the complications associated with antibiotics abuse during the treatment of paediatric patients, particularly those related to antimicrobial resistance. The dental profession is no exception; there is growing evidence that dental practitioners are misusing antibiotics in the treatment of their paediatric patients. This review is directed to dental practitioners who provide oral healthcare to children. It is also directed to medical practitioners, particularly those working in emergency departments and encountering children with acute orofacial infections. A systematic search of literature was conducted to explore the clinical indications and recommended antibiotic regimens for orofacial infections in paediatric outpatients. The main indications included cellulitis, aggressive periodontitis, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, and pericoronitis. Amoxicillin was found to be the most commonly recommended antibiotic for short durations of 3–5 days, with metronidazole or azithromycin being the alternative antibiotics in penicillin-sensitive patients.

Management of Children with Hypersensitivity to Antibiotics and Monoclonal Antibodies

Proper management of drug allergy in children is based on a thorough history, in vitro testing (if available), in vivo testing, and drug challenge. This approach has been well developed with beta-lactam drugs but not with non-beta-lactam drugs and monoclonal antibodies. Children commonly develop rashes during an antibiotic course, which can lead to misdiagnosis of drug allergy. Clinical reactions to monoclonal antibodies vary and are managed depending on the type. A better knowledge of drug reactions that can occur in antibiotic allergy and monoclonal allergy can aid a provider in better management of their drug-allergic pediatric patients.