Recent developments and highlights in drug hypersensitivity

Drug hypersensitivity reactions: review of the state of the science for prediction and diagnosis

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are a type of adverse drug reaction that can occur with different classes of drugs and affect multiple organ systems and patient populations. DHRs can be classified as allergic or non-allergic based on the cellular mechanisms involved. Whereas nonallergic reactions rely mainly on the innate immune system, allergic reactions involve the generation of an adaptive immune response. Consequently, drug allergies are DHRs for which an immunological mechanism, with antibody and/or T cell, is demonstrated. Despite decades of research, methods to predict the potential for a new chemical entity to cause DHRs or to correctly attribute DHRs to a specific mechanism and a specific molecule are not well-established. This review will focus on allergic reactions induced by systemically administered low-molecular weight drugs with an emphasis on drug- and patient-specific factors that could influence the development of DHRs. Strategies for predicting and diagnosing DHRs, including potential tools based on the current state of the science, will also be discussed.

Knowledge mapping and global trends of drug hypersensitivity from 2013 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND

Drug hypersensitivity is a major global public health issue with a significant increase in prevalence in populations. Here, we provide a deep insight into the frontier hotspot and future direction in the field of drug hypersensitivity.

METHODS

A knowledge map is portrayed based on publications related to drug hypersensitivity from Web of Science Core Collection using CiteSpace. Co-occurrence relationships of countries, institutes, authors, journals, references, and keywords are constructed. According to the co-occurrence relationships, hotspots and future trends are overviewed.

RESULTS

The United States ranked first in the world and China with the second highest publications was the only developing country. Torres, Mayorga, and Blanca were highly productive authors. Harvard University was the institution with the most research publications. Keywords co-occurrence analysis suggested applications in emerging causes, potential mechanisms, and clinical diagnosis as the research hotspots and development frontiers.

CONCLUSION

Research on drug hypersensitivity is in a rapid development stage and an emerging trend in reports of anaphylaxis to polyethylene glycols is identified. Developing algorithms for understanding the standardization process of culprit drugs, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic methods will be the focus of future direction. In addition, a better understanding of the mechanisms to culprit drugs with immunological precise phenotypic definitions and high-throughput platforms is needed.

Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome Due to Long-Term Usage of Methotrexate: A Case Report

Methotrexate (MTX), a cornerstone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is associated with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS), including rare instances of methotrexate-induced pneumonitis. We report a significant case of a 65-year-old woman with RA, treated with MTX for over two decades, who presented with fever, headache, nausea, and malaise and was later diagnosed with DIHS, manifesting as pneumonitis and hepatosplenomegaly. Despite initial suspicion of bacterial pneumonia, her condition deteriorated, leading to the consideration of DIHS. The diagnosis was confirmed through a drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST), and she responded well to prednisolone. This case underlines the complexity of long-term MTX therapy, emphasizing the need for vigilance towards DIHS even after years of treatment. The findings prompt a reconsideration of ongoing treatments for RA, particularly in settings where long-term MTX use is prevalent. Early intervention and diagnostic tests like the DLST are crucial for preventing severe outcomes. This case adds to the growing evidence of MTX's potential for causing DIHS even in long-term usage. It stresses the importance of balancing therapeutic benefits with the risks of significant adverse reactions in stable RA patients.

Drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions in a Lebanese outpatient population: A decade-long retrospective analysis (2012-2021)

Background

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are becoming more common as a result of increasing prevalence and case complexity. Allergists and clinical immunologists worldwide are challenged daily to adequately diagnose and manage these reactions. Data in the literature regarding DHR outpatient consultations are scarce worldwide, limited in the Middle East, and currently unavailable in Lebanon.

Objective

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of all reported DHRs over 10 years in a tertiary-care allergy clinic in Lebanon.

Methods

We conducted a decade-long (2012-21) retrospective analysis of the archived medical records of patients with a history of DHRs. Demographics, clinical history, diagnostic tools, and characteristics of the DHRs were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 758 patients experienced DHRs to therapeutic molecules provided for ambulatory care. Our results identified 72 medications. The most frequently implicated drug classes included β-lactam antibiotics (53.8%), followed closely by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (48.9%). Of the 758 patients, 32.6% reported DHRs to multiple molecules, and 11.8% reported concomitant DHRs to 1 or several molecules provided in the perioperative setting. Of those, opioids and neuromuscular blocking agents were the 2 most common therapeutic classes. Furthermore, we evaluated the cross-reactivity between molecules of the same class. In neuromuscular blocking agents, rocuronium and cisatracurium were the most commonly cross-reactive, and for opioids, the most common association we recorded was with morphine and pethidine.

Conclusion

Our findings constitute the first step toward a more comprehensive evaluation of the clinical characteristics of DHRs in Lebanon.

IFN-γ ELISpot-enabled machine learning for culprit drug identification in nonimmediate drug hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND

Diagnosing drug-induced allergy, especially nonimmediate phenotypes, is challenging. Incorrect classifications have unwanted consequences.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the diagnostic utility of IFN-γ ELISpot and clinical parameters in predicting drug-induced nonimmediate hypersensitivity using machine learning.

METHODS

The study recruited 393 patients. A positive patch test or drug provocation test (DPT) was used to define positive drug hypersensitivity. Various clinical factors were considered in developing random forest (RF) and logistic regression (LR) models. Performances were compared against the IFN-γ ELISpot-only model.

RESULTS

Among the 102 patients who had 164 DPTs, most patients had severe cutaneous adverse reactions (35/102, 34.3%) and maculopapular exanthems (33/102, 32.4%). Common suspected drugs were antituberculosis drugs (46/164, 28.1%) and β-lactams (42/164, 25.6%). Mean (SD) age of patients with DPT was 52.7 (20.8) years. IFN-γ ELISpot, fixed drug eruption, Naranjo categories, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most important features in all developed models. The RF and LR models had higher discriminating abilities. An IFN-γ ELISpot cutoff value of 16.0 spot-forming cells/106 PBMCs achieved 94.8% specificity and 57.1% sensitivity. Depending on clinical needs, optimal cutoff values for RF and LR models can be chosen to achieve either high specificity (0.41 for 96.1% specificity and 0.52 for 97.4% specificity, respectively) or high sensitivity (0.26 for 78.6% sensitivity and 0.37 for 71.4% sensitivity, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

IFN-γ ELISpot assay was valuable in identifying culprit drugs, whether used individually or incorporated in a prediction model. Performances of RF and LR models were comparable. Additional test datasets with DPT would be helpful to validate the model further.

Refractory drug-induced systemic small-vessel vasculitis with two varied extracutaneous manifestations: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Clopidogrel and ticagrelor are rarely reported to cause vasculitis via drug hypersensitivity reaction, largely mediated by T cells and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Despite therapeutic advances, the etiology of refractory vasculitides remains incompletely understood. Recently, (non)immunological mechanisms bypassing T cells and IgE have been proposed to explain resistance to standard immunosuppressants. Herein, we report a case of refractory drug-induced systemic small-vessel vasculitis with varied extracutaneous manifestations and incorporate multiple sources of data to provide detailed accounts of complex (non)immunological phenomena involved in this case. Study objectives are to provide an insight about rare presentations of commonly used drugs, upgrade the pathophysiological concepts of drug-induced vasculitis, raise need for further investigation to define causes and risk factors for refractory vasculitis, and discuss most of the current knowledge suggesting novel therapeutic approaches to treat this vasculitis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the two flares of systemic small-vessel vasculitis in a single patient in response to clopidogrel and ticagrelor exposure, respectively. However, this report is limited by attribution/observer bias.

CASE PRESENTATION

We herein report a 24-year-old Caucasian male student with a medical history of mild seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, tension-type headaches, posttraumatic arterial stenosis, and previous exposure to ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, and mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine who suffered largely from acute urticaria and dyspnea after 20 days of acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel introduction. A skin punch biopsy confirmed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Serologic antibody testing, complement analysis, microbiologic testing, and cancer biomarkers revealed no abnormalities. Regarding the patient's medical history, both acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel were exchanged for ticagrelor. Furthermore, the addition of naproxen, cyclosporine, bilastine, prednisolone, and montelukast resulted in complete recovery. After 7 days, diarrhea and hematuria occurred. Urinalysis and computed tomography showed reversible proteinuria with gross hematuria and hypodense changes in kidney medulla, respectively, associated with discontinuation of ticagrelor and naproxen. In addition, the patient recovered completely without any immunosuppression up-titration.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights the role of clopidogrel and ticagrelor as possible triggering agents for systemic small-vessel vasculitis and offers an insight into novel therapeutic strategies for refractory vasculitides. Further research is needed to build on the findings of a current report.

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.

Delayed Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions: Molecular Recognition, Genetic Susceptibility, and Immune Mediators

Drug hypersensitivity reactions are classified into immediate and delayed types, according to the onset time. In contrast to the immediate type, delayed drug hypersensitivity mainly involves T lymphocyte recognition of the drug antigens and cell activation. The clinical presentations of such hypersensitivity are various and range from mild reactions (e.g., maculopapular exanthema (MPE) and fixed drug eruption (FDE)), to drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)). The common culprits of delayed drug hypersensitivity include anti-epileptics, antibiotics, anti-gout agents, anti-viral drugs, etc. Delayed drug hypersensitivity is proposed to be initiated by different models of molecular recognition, composed of drug/metabolite antigen and endogenous peptide, HLA presentation, and T cell receptor (TCR) interaction. Increasing the genetic variants of HLA loci and drug metabolic enzymes has been identified to be responsible for delayed drug hypersensitivity. Furthermore, preferential TCR clonotypes, and the activation of cytotoxic proteins/cytokines/chemokines, are also involved in the pathogenesis of delayed drug hypersensitivity. This review provides a summary of the current understanding of the molecular recognition, genetic susceptibility, and immune mediators of delayed drug hypersensitivity.

Drugs and the skin: A concise review of cutaneous adverse drug reactions

Drug-induced skin disease or cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) are terms that encompass the clinical manifestations of the skin, mucosae and adnexa induced by a drug or its metabolites. The skin is the organ most frequently affected by drug reactions, which may affect up to 10% of hospitalized patients and occur in 1-3% of multimedicated patients. Most CADRs are mild or self-resolving conditions; however, 2-6.7% of could develop into potentially life-threatening conditions. CADRs represent a heterogeneous field and can be diagnostically challenging as they may potentially mimic any dermatosis. Currently, there are between 29-35 different cutaneous drug-reaction patterns reported ranging from mild dermatitis to an extensively burnt patient. The most frequently reported are maculopapular rash, urticaria/angioedema, fixed drug eruption and erythema multiforme. Less common but more severe patterns include erythroderma, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis spectrum. Almost any drug can induce a CADR, but antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antiepileptics are the most frequently involved. Different mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of CADRs, although in some cases, these remain still unknown. CADRs could be classified in different ways: (i) type A (augmented) or type B (bizarre); (ii) immediate or delayed; (iii) immune-mediated or nonimmune-mediated; (iv) nonsevere or life-threatening; and (v) by their phenotype, including exanthematous, urticarial, pustular and blistering morphology. Recognizing a specific CADR will mostly depend on the ability of the physician to perform a detailed clinical examination, the proper description of the morphology of the skin lesions and supporting laboratory and/or skin biopsy findings.

Changes in Sensitization Patterns in the Last 25 Years in 619 Patients with Confirmed Diagnoses of Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to Beta-Lactams

Beta-lactam (BL) drugs are the antibiotics most prescribed worldwide due to their broad spectrum of action. They are also the most frequently implied in hypersensitivity reactions with a known specific immunological mechanism. Since the commercialization of benzylpenicillin, allergic reactions have been described; over the years, other new BL drugs provided alternative treatments to penicillin, and amoxicillin is now the most prescribed BL in Europe. Diagnosis of BL allergy is mainly based on skin tests and drug provocation tests, defining different sensitization patterns or phenotypes. In this study, we evaluated 619 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BL-immediate allergy during the last 25 years, using the same diagnostic procedures with minor adaptations to the successive guidelines. The initial eliciting drug was benzylpenicillin, which changed to amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid and cephalosporins in recent years. In skin tests, we found a decrease in sensitivity to major and minor penicillin determinants and an increase in sensitivity to amoxicillin and others; this might reflect that the changes in prescription could have influenced the sensitization patterns, thus increasing the incidence of specific reactions to side-chain selective reactions.

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 allergy desensitization is not a unique recipe

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Drug desensitization is the only therapeutic option for patients with drug allergies who need to receive the drugs they are allergic to, and it is especially critical in patients with an urgent need for chemotherapy, biologics, or antibiotics, where equally effective alternatives might not be available. However, drug desensitization is not a cookbook where anyone with no experience or specific training can find a general recipe. This review article will approach the singularities that make personalized and highly specialized care essential in this field.

RECENT FINDINGS

Drug desensitization needs to be personalized for each individual patient bearing in mind countless factors. Recent articles have tried to define the optimal resources and the most important factors to account for in personalization. However, drug desensitization is only a tool within the wider management pathway, and we will discuss recent findings in allergy delabelling in chemotherapy, biologics, and antibiotics.

SUMMARY

Risk-assessment, delabelling, and desensitization protocols, as a part of wider management pathways, can be adapted locally along with comprehensive and multifactorial risk-management strategies. These high-complexity and high-risk procedures, such as drug desensitization, need to be managed by expert allergists who can provide personalization, innovation, continuous improvement, research, and teaching in expert centres.

Hypersensitivity Reactions to Iodinated Contrast Media

At present, iodinated contrast media (ICM) are mostly non-ionic, have low osmolality, and are safe. Even if adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occur, most are chemo-toxic symptoms and require only observation or H1 antihistamines. However, rare, unpredictable, and even life-threatening hypersensitivity can still occur. The aim of this review is to summarize the issues that all relevant staff need to know about and be able to respond to. The most significant risk factor for ICM hypersensitivity is a history of ICM hypersensitivity. For high-risk populations, we must cautiously weigh the advantages and disadvantages of premedication and be aware that breakthrough reactions may still occur. The best policy for patients with a history of severe ICM hypersensitivity is to avoid the same ICM. If ICM are inevitable, skin tests, in vitro tests, and drug provocation tests may help to find a feasible alternative that is safer. The severity of the hypersensitivity is correlated with the positivity rate of these tests, so there is no need for further investigations for patients with only mild reactions. We should also keep in mind that even excipients in ICM may induce hypersensitivity. Detailed, standardized documentation is essential for correct diagnosis and the prevention of future occurrence.

Advances and highlights in T and B cell responses to drug antigens

The immunological mechanisms involved in drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are complex, and despite important advances, multiple aspects remain poorly understood. These not fully known aspects are mainly related to the factors that drive towards either a tolerant or a hypersensitivity response and specifically regarding the role of B and T cells. In this review, we focus on recent findings on this knowledge area within the last 2 years. We highlight new evidences of covalent and non-covalent interactions of drug antigen with proteins, as well as the very first characterization of naturally processed flucloxacillin-haptenated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands. Moreover, we have analysed new insights into the identification of risk factors associated with the development of DHRs, such as the role of oxidative metabolism of drugs in the activation of the immune system and the discovery of new associations between DHRs and HLA variants. Finally, evidence of IgG-mediated anaphylaxis in humans and the involvement of specific subpopulations of effector cells associated with different clinical entities are also topics explored in this review. All these recent findings are relevant for the underlying pathology mechanisms and advance the field towards a more precise diagnosis, management and treatment approach for DHRs.

Mas-Related G Protein–Coupled Receptor-X2 and Its Role in Non-immunoglobulin E–Mediated Drug Hypersensitivity

A diverse group of Food and Drug Administration-approved cationic drugs including antibiotics, neuromuscular blocking drugs, opioids, antidepressants, and radiocontrast media activate mast cells and cause hypersensitivity reactions by both an immunoglobulin E IgE-dependent and independent manner. The recent discovery that these drugs activate mast cells via the G protein-coupled receptor known as Mas-related GPCR-X2 (MRGPRX2) has represented a paradigm shift of how drug hypersensitivity reactions are viewed. This article provides an overview of the current status of the role of MRGPRX2 on non-IgE-mediated drug hypersensitivity. Potential risk factors and evaluation for suspected MRGPRX2-mediated drug reactions are also discussed.

Precision medicine in the allergy clinic: the application of component resolved diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

A precise diagnosis is key for the optimal management of allergic diseases and asthma. In vivo or in vitro diagnostic methods that use allergen extracts often fail to identify the molecules eliciting the allergic reactions.

AREAS COVERED

Component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) has solved most of the limitations of extract-based diagnostic procedures and is currently valuable tool for the precision diagnosis in the allergy clinic, for venom and food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Its implementation in daily practice facilitates: a) the distinction between genuine multiple sensitizations and cross-reactive sensitization in polysensitized patients; b) the prediction of a severe, systemic reaction in food or insect venom allergy; c) the optimal selection of allergen immunotherapy based on the patient sensitization profile. This paper describes its main advantages and disadvantages, cost-effectiveness and future perspectives.

EXPERT OPINION

The diagnostic strategy based on CRD is part of the new concept of precision immunology, which aims to improve the management of allergic diseases.

Advances and highlights in biomarkers of allergic diseases

During the past years, there has been a global outbreak of allergic diseases, presenting a considerable medical and socioeconomical burden. A large fraction of allergic diseases is characterized by a type 2 immune response involving Th2 cells, type 2 innate lymphoid cells, eosinophils, mast cells, and M2 macrophages. Biomarkers are valuable parameters for precision medicine as they provide information on the disease endotypes, clusters, precision diagnoses, identification of therapeutic targets, and monitoring of treatment efficacies. The availability of powerful omics technologies, together with integrated data analysis and network‐based approaches can help the identification of clinically useful biomarkers. These biomarkers need to be accurately quantified using robust and reproducible methods, such as reliable and point‐of‐care systems. Ideally, samples should be collected using quick, cost‐efficient and noninvasive methods. In recent years, a plethora of research has been directed toward finding novel biomarkers of allergic diseases. Promising biomarkers of type 2 allergic diseases include sputum eosinophils, serum periostin and exhaled nitric oxide. Several other biomarkers, such as pro‐inflammatory mediators, miRNAs, eicosanoid molecules, epithelial barrier integrity, and microbiota changes are useful for diagnosis and monitoring of allergic diseases and can be quantified in serum, body fluids and exhaled air. Herein, we review recent studies on biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, food allergies, anaphylaxis, drug hypersensitivity and allergen immunotherapy. In addition, we discuss COVID‐19 and allergic diseases within the perspective of biomarkers and recommendations on the management of allergic and asthmatic patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Clarithromycin hypersensitivity in children: Is there a link with β-lactam hypersensitivity?

BACKGROUND

Clarithromycin hypersensitivity is reported as the most common cause of non-β-lactam antibiotic allergy in children. Clarithromycin is frequently prescribed in cases of suspected β-lactam hypersensitivity. Oral provocation tests stand as the gold standard to confirm drug hypersensitivity as diagnostic value of skin tests is variable. We analyzed the frequency of true clarithromycin hypersensitivity ratio and its relationship with β-lactam allergy among children with suspected clarithromycin hypersensitivity and evaluated the diagnostic value of skin tests.

METHODS

The study included 160 children referred with suspected clarithromycin hypersensitivity. Clinical history and allergy workups including skin tests or/and oral provocation tests were retrieved from medical records.

RESULTS

Oral provocation test confirmed clarithromycin hypersensitivity rate was 5.6% (n = 9/160). Skin tests with clarithromycin showed positivity in 32.6% (n = 29/89) of the tested patients. The sensitivity of clarithromycin skin tests was negligible, and specificity was 73.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.7-81.8). Eighty-eight of the patients (55%) reported that they had previously tolerated a β-lactam antibiotic. β-lactam hypersensitivity was suspected in 40% (n = 64/160) of the patients (simultaneous [n = 10], sequential [n = 19], distant form [n = 35]) in relation with clarithromycin usage. β-lactam hypersensitivity (95% CI, 2.1-70.6, p = .005) and sequential usage of clarithromycin after the development of a rash with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (95% CI, 2.0-96.4, p = .007) were found as risk factors for confirmed clarithromycin hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of confirmed clarithromycin hypersensitivity was found low among suspected patients. Oral provocation test is crucial for definite diagnosis. Confirmed β-lactam allergy may be attributed as a risk factor for clarithromycin hypersensitivity, particularly clarithromycin treatment after a developing rash with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in sequential usage.

Role of nanostructures in allergy: Diagnostics, treatments and safety

Nanotechnology is science, engineering and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1-100 nm. It has led to the development of nanomaterials, which behave very differently from materials with larger scales and can have a wide range of applications in biomedicine. The physical and chemical properties of materials of such small compounds depend mainly on the size, shape, composition and functionalization of the system. Nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, liposomes, polymers, dendrimers and nanogels, among others, can be nanoengineeried for controlling all parameters, including their functionalization with ligands, which provide the desired interaction with the immunological system, that is dendritic cell receptors to activate and/or modulate the response, as well as specific IgE, or effector cell receptors. However, undesired issues related to toxicity and hypersensitivity responses can also happen and would need evaluation. There are wide panels of accessible structures, and controlling their physico-chemical properties would permit obtaining safer and more efficient compounds for clinical applications goals, either in diagnosis or treatment. The application of dendrimeric antigens, nanoallergens and nanoparticles in allergy diagnosis is very promising since it can improve sensitivity by increasing specific IgE binding, mimicking carrier proteins or enhancing signal detection. Additionally, in the case of immunotherapy, glycodendrimers, liposomes, polymers and nanoparticles have shown interest, behaving as platforms of allergenic structures, adjuvants or protectors of allergen from degradation or having a depot capacity. Taken together, the application of nanotechnology to allergy shows promising facts facing important goals related to the improvement of diagnosis as well as specific immunotherapy.

Nanoarchitectures for efficient IgE cross-linking on effector cells to study amoxicillin allergy

BACKGROUND

Amoxicillin (AX) is nowadays the β-lactam that more frequently induces immediate allergic reactions. Nevertheless, diagnosis of AX allergy is occasionally challenging due to risky in vivo tests and non-optimal sensitivity of in vitro tests. AX requires protein haptenation to form multivalent conjugates with increased size to be immunogenic. Knowing adduct structural features for promoting effector cell activation would help to improve in vitro tests. We aimed to identify the optimal structural requirement in specific cellular degranulation to AX using well-precised nanoarchitectures of different lengths.

METHOD

We constructed eight Bidendron Antigens (BiAns) based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers of different lengths (600-12,000 Da), end-coupled with polyamidoamine dendrons that were terminally multi-functionalized with amoxicilloyl (AXO). In vitro IgE recognition was studied by competitive radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and antibody-nanoarchitecture complexes by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their allergenic activity was evaluated using bone marrow-derived mast cells (MCs) passively sensitized with mouse monoclonal IgE against AX and humanized RBL-2H3 cells sensitized with polyclonal antibodies from sera of AX-allergic patients.

RESULTS

All BiAns were recognized by AX-sIgE. Dose-dependent activation responses were observed in both cellular assays, only with longer structures, containing spacers in the range of PEG 6000-12,000 Da. Consistently, greater proportion of immunocomplexes and number of antibodies per complex for longer BiAns were visualized by TEM.

CONCLUSIONS

BiAns are valuable platforms to study the mechanism of effector cell activation. These nanomolecular tools have demonstrated the importance of the adduct size to promote effector cell activation in AX allergy, which will impact for improving in vitro diagnostics.

Diagnostic Approach of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Cefazolin in a Large Prospective Cohort

BACKGROUND

Cefazolin is a common trigger of perioperative anaphylaxis. The diagnostic approach is controversial because the optimal concentration for skin testing is uncertain, drug provocation tests (DPTs) are contraindicated in severe reactions, and in vitro tests are not thoroughly validated.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to characterize a large number of patients reporting cefazolin allergic reactions and to analyze the diagnostic role of in vivo and in vitro tests.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated patients with suspicion for allergic reactions to cefazolin by clinical history, skin tests (STs), and, if negative, DPT. In a subgroup of patients, basophil activation test (BAT) and radioallergosorbent test were done before allergologic workup was performed and the final diagnosis was achieved.

RESULTS

We evaluated 184 patients, 76 of whom were confirmed as allergic (41.3%), 90 were nonallergic (48.9%), and 18 were nonconfirmed (9.8%). All patients reporting anaphylactic shock and most reporting anaphylaxis were confirmed to be allergic (P < .001). Forty allergic patients (52.6%) were confirmed by STs, 22 by DPT (28.9%), and 14 by clinical history (18.4%). All subjects manifesting exanthemas and pruritus were nonallergic. The BAT sensitivity was 66.7% when CD63 and CD203c were combined as activation markers. Six of 8 patients with negative STs and positive DPT had a positive BAT.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients allergic to cefazolin often reported severe immediate-type reactions. Skin tests enabled a diagnosis in half of patients when using cefazolin at 20 mg/mL. Unfortunately, DPT could not be performed in all patients owing to reaction severity, which makes BAT a promising diagnostic tool. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms, especially in severe reactions.

Dendritic cells inclusion and cell-subset assessment improve flow-cytometry-based proliferation test in non-immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions

BACKGROUND

Lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) has been widely used to evaluate non-immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions (NIDHRs). However, the lack of standardization and the low sensitivity have limited its routine diagnostic use. The drug presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) and the assessment of proliferation on effector cells have shown promising results. Flow-cytometry-based methods can help apply these improvements. We aimed to assess the added value of using drug-primed-DCs and the determination of the proliferative response of different lymphocyte subpopulations in NIDHRs.

METHODS

Patients with confirmed NIDHR were evaluated by both conventional (C-LTT) and with drug-primed-DCs LTT (dDC-LTT)analysing the proliferative response in T cells and other effector cell subpopulations by using the fluorescent molecule, carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE).

RESULTS

The C-LTT showed a significantly lower sensitivity (29.4%) compared with dDC-LTT (61.8%), which was confirmed analysing each particular clinical entity: SJS-TEN (62.5% vs 87.5%), MPE (15% vs 47.4%) and AGEP (33% vs 80%). When including the effector cell subpopulations involved in each clinical entity, CD3⁺ +CD4⁺ T_h 1 or CD3⁺ +NK cells in SJS-TEN, CD3⁺ +CD4⁺ T_h 1+NK cells in MPE and CD3⁺ +NK cells in AGEP, we could significantly increase the sensitivity of the in vitro test to 100%, 68.4% and 100%, respectively, with an overall sensitivity of 87% and 85% of specificity in NIDHR.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a flow-cytometry-based test, DCs as drug presenting cells, and focusing on effector cell subpopulations for each clinical entity significantly improved the drug-specific proliferative response in NIDHRs with a unique cellular in vitro test.

Practice parameters for diagnosing and managing iodinated contrast media hypersensitivity

Immediate and nonimmediate hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) have been reported to occur in a frequency of about 0.5%-3% of patients receiving nonionic ICM. The diagnosis and management of these patients vary among guidelines published by various national and international scientific societies, with recommendations ranging from avoidance or premedication to drug provocation test. This position paper aims to give recommendations for the management of patients with ICM hypersensitivity reactions and analyze controversies in this area. Skin tests are recommended as the initial step for diagnosing patients with immediate and nonimmediate hypersensitivity reactions; besides, they may also help guide on tolerability of alternatives. Re-exposition or drug provocation test should only be done with skin test-negative ICMs. The decision for performing either re-exposition or drug provocation test needs to be taken based on a risk-benefit analysis. The role of in vitro tests for diagnosis and pretreatment for preventing reactions remains controversial.

Allergy to penicillin and betalactam antibiotics

Betalactams are the most frequent cause of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs mediated by a specific immune mechanism. Immediate reactions occur within 1 to 6 hours after betalactam administration, and are generally IgE-mediated. They clinically translate into urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis. Non-immediate or delayed reactions occur after 1 hour of administration. These are the most common reactions and are usually mediated by T cells. The most frequent type is the maculopapular or morbilliform exanthematous eruption. Most individuals who report allergies to penicillin and betalactams can tolerate this group of antibiotics. To make diagnosis, a detailed medical history is essential to verify whether it was an immediate or non-immediate reaction. Thereafter, in vivo and/or in vitro tests for investigation may be performed. The challenging test is considered the gold standard method for diagnosis of betalactam hypersensitivity. The first approach when suspecting a reaction to betalactam is to discontinue exposure to the drug, and the only specific treatment is desensitization, which has very precise indications. The misdiagnosis of penicillin allergy affects the health system, since the "penicillin allergy" label is associated with increased bacterial resistance, higher rate of therapeutic failure, prolonged hospitalizations, readmissions, and increased costs. Thus, it is essential to develop strategies to assist the prescription of antibiotics in patients identified with a label of "betalactam allergy" at hospitals, and to enhance education of patients and their caregivers, as well as of non-specialist physicians.

In-Vitro Approaches to Predict and Study T-Cell Mediated Hypersensitivity to Drugs

Mitigating the risk of drug hypersensitivity reactions is an important facet of a given pharmaceutical, with poor performance in this area of safety often leading to warnings, restrictions and withdrawals. In the last 50 years, efforts to diagnose, manage, and circumvent these obscure, iatrogenic diseases have resulted in the development of assays at all stages of a drugs lifespan. Indeed, this begins with intelligent lead compound selection/design to minimize the existence of deleterious chemical reactivity through exclusion of ominous structural moieties. Preclinical studies then investigate how compounds interact with biological systems, with emphasis placed on modeling immunological/toxicological liabilities. During clinical use, competent and accurate diagnoses are sought to effectively manage patients with such ailments, and pharmacovigilance datasets can be used for stratification of patient populations in order to optimise safety profiles. Herein, an overview of some of the in-vitro approaches to predict intrinsic immunogenicity of drugs and diagnose culprit drugs in allergic patients after exposure is detailed, with current perspectives and opportunities provided.

The Use of Contrast Agents in Interventional Pain Procedures: A Multispecialty and Multisociety Practice Advisory on Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, Gadolinium Deposition in the Brain, Encephalopathy After Unintentional Intrathecal Gadolinium Injection, and Hypersensitivity Reactions

This Practice Advisory presents a comprehensive and evidence-based set of position statements and recommendations for the use of contrast media in interventional pain procedures. The advisory was established by an international panel of experts under the auspices of 11 multinational and multispecialty organizations based on a comprehensive review of the literature up to December 31, 2019. The advisory discusses the risks of using gadolinium-based contrast agents. These include nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, gadolinium brain deposition/retention, and encephalopathy and death after an unintentional intrathecal gadolinium injection. The advisory provides recommendations on the selection of a specific gadolinium-based contrast agent in patients with renal insufficiency, those who had multiple gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging examinations, and in cases of paraspinal injections. Additionally, recommendations are made for patients who have a history of mild, moderate, or severe hypersensitivity reactions to contrast medium.

Current practice for diagnosing immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Skin (STs) and drug provocation (DPTs) tests are essential for identifying the culprit drugs causing drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs). Several protocols have been developed for the identification of some culprit drugs, but they are neither thoroughly validated nor standardized. Furthermore, language barriers may impede the exchange of information necessary for test standardization.

METHODS

We searched the Korean literature for articles on drug hypersensitivity published from 1933 to 2016 using the KoreaMed search engine and archives of Korean journals. We reviewed and rated all articles according to the description of STs and DPTs.

RESULTS

Of the 632 articles obtained in our initial search, 34 had adequate descriptions of 15 STs and 22 DPTs. Up to 27 healthy control subjects in STs were enrolled to determine non-irritating concentrations. The concentrations used for intradermal tests were commonly a 1/10 dilution of those used for skin prick tests. The interpretations of the STs were mostly similar among researchers. For DPTs, most procedures were single-arm open-label tests of various drugs. The initial dose ranged from a quarter dose to a single therapeutic dose, depending on the severity of the original hypersensitivity reaction. The interval between doses was usually 30 to 60 minutes, and a positive reaction usually occurred within twice the time of the original reaction.

CONCLUSION

Efforts to distribute information are necessary to standardize protocols and better understand DHRs.

Diagnostic workup including CD203c-based basophil activation test in immediate hypersensitivity due to metronidazole and ornidazole and evaluation of cross-reactivity in between

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the diagnostic approaches for immediate hypersensitivity reactions (IHRs) due to 5-nitroimidazole antibiotics. The aim was to evaluate the usefulness of in vivo tests and basophil activation test (BAT) for the diagnosis of IHRs due to metronidazole and ornidazole and to determine possible cross-reactivity in between.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients with a clear history of IHRs due to these drugs and 20 healthy subjects who were known to tolerate these drugs were included. Skin tests (STs) and single-blind placebo-controlled drug provocation tests (SBPCDPTs) were performed with both drugs whereas BAT was applied only with the culprit drug.

RESULTS

The most and least common reaction types were urticaria/angioedema (34.7%) and anaphylaxis (14.3%), respectively. SBPCDPTs were positive in 15 out of 47 patients, and only 7 had positive STs. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of STs for metronidazole/ornidazole were 33.3%/16.6%, 94.2%/97.3%, 60%/50%, and 84.6%/88.1%, respectively. BAT was positive in 12 out of 15 patients and negative in 10 control subjects, giving a sensitivity rate of 71.4% (CI, 29.0%-96.3%) for metronidazole and 83.3% (CI, 35.8%-99.5%) for ornidazole. The optimal concentration of both drugs for BAT was determined as 5 mg/mL. No cross-reactivity among two drugs was observed according to in vivo tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that SBPCDPT and BAT are both useful diagnostic tools for IHRs due to 5-nitroimidazole antibiotics and can be used as supplementary to each other. No cross-reactivity between metronidazole and ornidazole in IHRs exists.

What is new in beta-lactam allergy in children?

This review highlights the novelties in understanding the underlying immunologic mechanisms of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) with special reference to beta-lactams (BLs) in the pediatric population, as well as tiny changes in clinical classification and diagnosis of DHRs, in the last couple of years. BLs are still the most commonly prescribed and used antibiotics in children. Viral infections are very often in children, and they can provoke skin rashes which are difficult to differentiate from DHRs. The majority of children are incorrectly labeled as "allergic." Therefore, allergy to BLs in children is overdiagnosed. These children often receive suboptimal treatment with second-line broad-spectrum antibiotics, which are less effective, more costly, and associated with an increased risk of antibiotic-resistant infections. This prolongs hospitalization and thus more uses health care. The correct diagnosis of BL allergy in children is still an important and hot topic. This review has outlined the need for correct diagnosis of BL allergy in children and all the controversies encountered by pediatricians and pediatric allergists. It is also necessary to change the paradigm.

Biotin-Labelled Clavulanic Acid to Identify Proteins Target for Haptenation in Serum: Implications in Allergy Studies

Clavulanic acid (CLV) and amoxicillin, frequently administered in combination, can be independently involved in allergic reactions. Protein haptenation with β-lactams is considered necessary to activate the immune system. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of biotinylated analogues of CLV as probes to study protein haptenation by this β-lactam. Two synthetic approaches afforded the labeling of CLV through esterification of its carboxylic group with a biotin moiety, via either direct binding (CLV-B) or tetraethylenglycol linker (CLV-TEG-B). The second analogue offered advantages as solubility in aqueous solution and potential lower steric hindrance for both intended interactions, with the protein and with avidin. NMR reactivity studies showed that both CLV and CLV-TEG-B reacts through β-lactam ring opening by aliphatic amino nitrogen, however with different stability of resulting conjugates. Unlike CLV conjugates, that promoted the decomposition of clavulanate fragment, the conjugates obtained with the CLV-TEG-B remained linked, as a whole structure including biotin, to nucleophile and showed a better stability. This was a desired key feature to allow CLV-TEG-B conjugated protein detection at great sensitivity. We have used biotin detection and mass spectrometry (MS) to detect the haptenation of human serum albumin (HSA) and human serum proteins. MS of conjugates showed that HSA could be modified by CLV-TEG-B. Remarkably, HSA preincubation with CLV excess only reduced moderately the incorporation of CLV-TEG-B, which could be attributed to different protein interferences. The CLV-TEG-B fragment with opened β-lactam was detected bound to the ^404-430HSA peptide of the treated protein. Incubation of human serum with CLV-TEG-B resulted in the haptenation of several proteins that were identified by 2D-electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting as HSA, haptoglobin, and heavy and light chains of immunoglobulins. Taken together, our results show that tagged-CLV keeps some of the CLV features. Moreover, although we observe a different behavior in the conjugate stability and in the site of protein modification, the similar reactivity indicates that it could constitute a valuable tool to identify protein targets for haptenation by CLV with high sensitivity to get insights into the activation of the immune system by CLV and mechanisms involved in β-lactams allergy.

Comorbidities and Cofactors of Anaphylaxis in Patients with Moderate to Severe Anaphylaxis. Analysis of Data from the Anaphylaxis Registry for West Pomerania Province, Poland

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction that is still rarely diagnosed. For safety reasons, patients should visit an allergologist to identify potential causes and cofactors of this reaction. This paper presents the analysis of data from the Anaphylaxis Registry gathered over ten years at the Allergy Clinic, Pomeranian Medical University (PMU). A questionnaire-based survey was used for patients visiting the Allergy Clinic to identify potential augmentation factors/comorbidities and/or cofactors of anaphylaxis in patients with a history of moderate to severe anaphylaxis. The registry comprised patients with grade II or higher anaphylaxis. The gathered data concerned chronic comorbidities (cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and others), recurrence of anaphylaxis, and potential cofactors in anaphylaxis. In the analyzed group, the incidence rate of anaphylaxis was the highest for women aged 19–60 years. Most common comorbidities in patients with moderate to severe anaphylaxis included: cardiovascular diseases, respiratory tract diseases, features of atopy, and thyroid diseases. More than 30% of drug-induced reactions were anaphylactic reactions due to the re-exposure to the same drug, which points to the need for educational initiatives in this area. The incidence rate of anaphylaxis induced by Hymenoptera stings was comparable in patients who had a previous generalized reaction and those who had good tolerance to the previous sting. It is important to take these cofactors into consideration when evaluating patients with anaphylaxis as they may play a role in future anaphylactic reactions.

Penicillin and cephalosporin cross-reactivity: role of side chain and synthetic cefadroxil epitopes

BACKGROUND

Analysis of cross-reactivity is necessary for prescribing safe cephalosporins for penicillin allergic patients. Amoxicillin (AX) is the betalactam most often involved in immediate hypersensitivity reactions (IHRs), and cefadroxil (CX) the most likely cephalosporin to cross-react with AX, since they share the same R1 side chain, unlike cefuroxime (CO), with a structurally different R1. We aimed to analyse cross-reactivity with CX and CO in patients with confirmed IHRs to AX, including sIgE recognition to AX, CX, CO, and novel synthetic determinants of CX.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients with confirmed IHRs to AX based on skin test (ST) and/or drug provocation test (DPT) were included. Serum sIgE to AX and benzylpenicillin was determined by Radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Two potential determinants of CX, involving intact or modified R1 structure, with open betalactam ring, were synthesised and sIgE evaluated by RAST inhibition assay.

RESULTS

Tolerance to CX (Group A) was observed in 64.8% cases and cross-reactivity in 35.2% cases (Group B). Cross-reactivity with CO was only found in 1.8% cases from Group B. ST to CX showed a negative predictive value of 94.6%. RAST inhibition assays showed higher recognition to CX as well as to both synthetic determinants (66% of positive cases) in Group B.

CONCLUSIONS

Cross-reactivity with CX in AX allergic patients is 35%, being ST not enough for prediction. R1, although critical for recognition, is not the unique factor. The synthetic determinants of CX, 1-(HOPhG-Ser-Bu) and 2-(pyrazinone) are promising tools for determining in vitro cross-reactivity to CX in AX allergic patients.

Biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of therapy responses in allergic diseases and asthma

Modern health care requires a proactive and individualized response to diseases, combining precision diagnosis and personalized treatment. Accordingly, the approach to patients with allergic diseases encompasses novel developments in the area of personalized medicine, disease phenotyping and endotyping, and the development and application of reliable biomarkers. A detailed clinical history and physical examination followed by the detection of IgE immunoreactivity against specific allergens still represents the state of the art. However, nowadays, further emphasis focuses on the optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic standards and a large number of studies have been investigating the biomarkers of allergic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, urticaria and anaphylaxis. Various biomarkers have been developed by omics technologies, some of which lead to a better classification of distinct phenotypes or endotypes. The introduction of biologicals to clinical practice increases the need for biomarkers for patient selection, prediction of outcomes and monitoring, to allow for an adequate choice of the duration of these costly and long‐lasting therapies. Escalating healthcare costs together with questions about the efficacy of the current management of allergic diseases require further development of a biomarker‐driven approach. Here, we review biomarkers in diagnosis and treatment of asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, viral infections, chronic rhinosinusitis, food allergy, drug hypersensitivity and allergen immunotherapy with a special emphasis on specific IgE, the microbiome and the epithelial barrier. In addition, EAACI guidelines on biologicals are discussed within the perspective of biomarkers.

Advances and novel developments in drug hypersensitivity diagnosis

A correct diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) is very important for both the patient and health system. However, DHRs diagnosis is complex, time consuming, requires trained personnel, is not standardized for many drugs, involves procedures not exempt of risk, and in most cases lacks standardized in vivo and in vitro tests. Thus, there is an urgent need for improving the different approaches to diagnose patients with suspected DHRs. In this review, we have analyzed the advances performed in immediate and nonimmediate DHRs diagnosis during the last two years and obtained several conclusions: the significant heterogeneity in current practice among centers illustrates the need to re-evaluate, update, and standardize in vivo tests and protocols for the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected drug allergy. Regarding in vitro tests, the latest studies have focused on increasing their sensitivity or on establishing the sensitivity and specificity for the tests performed with new drugs. There seems to be a consensus about combining in vivo and in vitro tests as the best way to increase the diagnostic accuracy.

Drug hypersensitivity reactions in Asia: regional issues and challenges

There are geographical, regional, and ethnic differences in the phenotypes and endotypes of patients with drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) in different parts of the world. In Asia, aspects of drug hypersensitivity of regional importance include IgE-mediated allergies and T-cell-mediated reactions, including severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), to beta-lactam antibiotics, antituberculous drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and radiocontrast agents. Delabeling of low-risk penicillin allergy using direct oral provocation tests without skin tests have been found to be useful where the drug plausibility of the index reaction is low. Genetic risk associations of relevance to Asia include human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B*1502 with carbamazepine SCAR, and HLA-B*5801 with allopurinol SCAR in some Asian ethnic groups. There remains a lack of safe and accurate diagnostic tests for antituberculous drug allergy, other than relatively high-risk desensitization regimes to first-line antituberculous therapy. NSAID hypersensitivity is common among both adults and children in Asia, with regional differences in phenotype especially among adults. Low dose aspirin desensitization is an important therapeutic modality in individuals with cross-reactive NSAID hypersensitivity and coronary artery disease following percutaneous coronary intervention. Skin testing allows patients with radiocontrast media hypersensitivity to confirm the suspected agent and test for alternatives, especially when contrasted scans are needed for future monitoring of disease relapse or progression, especially cancers.