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Wrenn RH, Trubiano JA. Penicillin Allergy Impact and Management. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2023; 37:793-822. [PMID: 37537003 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
There is international evidence that penicillin allergies are associated with inferior prescribing and patient outcomes. A host of tools now exist from assessment (risk assessment tools, clinical decision rules) to delabeling (the removal of a beta-lactam allergy via testing or medical reconciliation) to reduce the impact of these "labels" in the hospital and community setting, as a primary antimicrobial stewardship intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah H Wrenn
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Jason A Trubiano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Antibiotic Allergy and Research, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria 3000, Australia; The National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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2
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Sáenz de Santa María R, Bogas G, Labella M, Ariza A, Salas M, Doña I, Torres MJ. Approach for delabeling beta-lactam allergy in children. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2023; 4:1298335. [PMID: 38033918 PMCID: PMC10684789 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2023.1298335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A considerable number of pediatric patients treated with beta-lactam (BL) antibiotics develop delayed onset of skin rashes during the course of treatment. Although the most frequent cause of these symptoms is infectious, many cases are labeled as allergic reactions to these drugs. BL allergy labels could have a negative impact, as they imply avoidance of this group of drugs and the use of second-line antibiotics, leading to a potential increase in adverse effects and the utilization of less effective therapies. This constitutes a major public health concern and economic burden, as the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can result in multidrug-resistant organisms and prolonged hospital stays. Therefore, it is crucial to delabel patients during childhood to avoid false labeling in adult life. Although the label of BL allergy is among the most frequent causes of allergy referral, its management remains controversial, and new diagnostic perspectives are changing the paradigm of managing BL allergies in children. Traditionally, drug provocation testing (DPT) was exclusively performed in patients who had previously obtained negative results from skin tests (STs). However, the sensitivity of STs is low, and the role of in vitro testing in the pediatric population is not well defined. Recent studies have demonstrated the safety of direct DPT without prior ST or serum tests for pediatric patients who report a low-risk reaction to BLs, which is cost-effective. However, there is still a debate on the optimal allergic workup to be performed in children with a benign immediate reaction and the management of children with severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions. In this review, we will discuss the impact of the label of BL allergy and the role of the different tools currently available to efficiently address BL allergy delabeling in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Sáenz de Santa María
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
- Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
| | - G. Bogas
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
- Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
| | - M. Labella
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
- Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
| | - A. Ariza
- Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
| | - M. Salas
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
- Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
| | - I. Doña
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
- Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
| | - M. J. Torres
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
- Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Civil, Málaga, Spain
- Nanostructures for Diagnosing and Treatment of Allergic Diseases Laboratory, Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology-BIONAND, Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Facultad de Medicina, Málaga, Spain
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Sage AP, James E, Burke M, Chan ES, Wong T. Assessment of multiple-opinion referrals and consults at the BC Children's Hospital Allergy Clinic. ALLERGY, ASTHMA, AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 19:52. [PMID: 37316941 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-023-00806-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic disease is on the rise. Waitlists for specialists are long, and many referred patients have already received prior allergic assessment, either by a certified Allergist, Primary Care Provider, or other Specialist. It is important to understand the prevalence and motivating factors for multiple-opinion referrals, to deliver timely assessment for patients with allergic disease. METHODS A retrospective chart review of demographic information, number of previous consultations, and motivation for new consults and multiple-opinion referrals, of pediatric patients aged 8 months-17 years to BC Children's Hospital Allergy Clinic from September 1, 2016-August 31, 2017, was performed. Referral data including reason for referral or multiple-opinion, primary allergic concerns, and others, from referral forms and consult notes were accessed through local Electronic Medical Records and subsequently analyzed for trends in categorical variables to assess the rationale for and impact of multiple-opinion referrals to our clinic. RESULTS Of 1029 new referrals received, 210 (20.4%) were multiple-opinion referrals. Food allergy was the predominant allergic concern prompting further opinion (75.7%). The main rationale for seeking further opinions was wanting an assessment by a certified allergist in cases where prior consultation was performed by non-allergist specialist, primary care provider, or alternative health care provider. Of second-opinion referrals generated, 70 (33.3%) initial consultations were performed by an Allergist, whereas 140 (66.7%) were performed by a non-allergist. CONCLUSIONS Many new consults at the BCCH Allergy Clinic are multiple-opinion assessments, contributing to long waitlists. Advocacy at the systems level through standardized referral guidelines, centralized triaging systems, and stronger support for Primary Care Providers is needed to provide better access in Canada for children needing a specialized Allergist. Trial registration UBC/BCCH Research Ethics Board.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Sage
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Elliot James
- Division of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Room 1C31B, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Megan Burke
- Division of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Room 1C31B, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Edmond S Chan
- Division of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Room 1C31B, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Tiffany Wong
- Division of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Room 1C31B, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
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Saravanabavan S, Aulakh A, Douglas J, Elwood C, Erdle S, Grant J, Kang KT, Kwan N, Lacaria K, Lau TTY, Lee C, Leung V, Lin YC, Mah A, Nguyen A, Paquette V, Roberts A, Watt M, Van Schalkwyk J, Zhang BY, Mak R, Wong T. Penicillin de-labelling in vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: comparison of approaches, outcomes and future directions. ALLERGY, ASTHMA, AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 19:30. [PMID: 37072861 PMCID: PMC10114447 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-023-00777-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inaccurate penicillin allergy labels lead to inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions and harmful patient consequences. System-wide efforts are needed to remove incorrect penicillin allergy labels, but more health services research is required on how to best deliver these services. METHODS Data was extracted from five hospitals in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from October 2018-May 2022. The primary outcomes of this study were to outline de-labelling protocol designs, identify the roles of various healthcare professionals in de-labelling protocols and identify rates of de-labelling penicillin allergies and associated adverse events at various institutions. Our secondary outcome was to describe de-labelling rates for special populations, including pediatric, obstetric and immunocompromised subpopulations. To achieve these outcomes, participating institutions provided their de-labelling protocol designs and data on program participants. Protocols were then compared to find common themes and differences. Furthermore, adverse events were reviewed and percentages of patients de-labelled at each institution and in total were calculated. RESULTS Protocols demonstrated a high level of variability, including different methods of participant identification, risk-stratification and roles of providers. All protocols used oral and direct oral challenges, heavily involved pharmacists and had physician oversight. Despite the differences, of the 711 patients enrolled in all programs, 697 (98.0%) were de-labelled. There were 9 adverse events (1.3%) with oral challenges with mainly minor symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrates that de-labelling programs effectively and safely remove penicillin allergy labels, including pediatric, obstetric and immunocompromised patients. Consistent with current literature, most patients with a penicillin allergy label are not allergic. De-labelling programs could benefit from increasing clinician engagement by increasing accessibility of resources to providers, including guidance for de-labelling of special populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujen Saravanabavan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | | | | | - Chelsea Elwood
- B.C. Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Jennifer Grant
- Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Katie Lacaria
- Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tim T Y Lau
- Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Colin Lee
- Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Victor Leung
- Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yu-Chen Lin
- Lions Gate Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Allison Mah
- Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anne Nguyen
- Lions Gate Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Melissa Watt
- B.C. Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Bei Yuan Zhang
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Raymond Mak
- BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Carter EJ, Kaman K, Baron K, Miller M, Krol DM, Harpalani D, Aseltine RH, Pagoto S. Parent-reported penicillin allergies in children: A qualitative study. Am J Infect Control 2023; 51:56-61. [PMID: 35537563 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Penicillin allergies are commonly reported in children. Most reported penicillin allergies are false, resulting in the unnecessary selection of alternative antibiotic treatments that promote antibiotic resistance. While formal allergy testing is encouraged to establish a diagnosis of penicillin allergy, children are rarely referred for allergy testing, and study of parents' experiences and perceptions of their child's reported penicillin allergy is limited. We aimed to describe parents' experiences and perceptions of their child's penicillin allergy and attitudes towards penicillin allergy testing to identify opportunities to engage parents in antimicrobial stewardship efforts. METHODS This was a qualitative descriptive study. RESULTS Eighteen parents participated in this study. Parents' children were on average 2 years old when the index reaction occurred, and 7 years had passed since the reaction. Transcripts revealed that participants were receptive to penicillin allergy testing for their child after learning the consequences of penicillin allergy and availability of allergy testing. Four major themes emerged from data (1) parents' making sense of allergy; (2) parents' impressions of allergy label, (3) parents' attitudes towards allergy testing, and (4) parents' desire to be informed of testing availability. CONCLUSIONS Efforts are needed to engage parents in addressing spuriously reported penicillin allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelsey Kaman
- Connecticut Asthma & Allergy Center, West Hartford, CT
| | - Katelyn Baron
- University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, CT
| | | | - David M Krol
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT
| | | | | | - Sherry Pagoto
- University of Connecticut Department of Allied Health Sciences, Storrs, CT
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Advances in immunoglobulin E mediated antibiotic allergy. Curr Opin Pediatr 2022; 34:609-615. [PMID: 36036421 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to identify recent advances in our understanding and management of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated antibiotic allergy. RECENT FINDINGS Antibiotics remain a leading cause of fatal anaphylaxis reported to the FDA. However, recent advances have defined the features of adult and pediatric patients without true IgE-mediated allergy or any mechanism of anaphylaxis when tested. This has created opportunities to use direct challenges to disprove these allergies at the point-of-care and improves antibiotic stewardship. Additional advances have highlighted cross-reactive structural considerations within classes of drugs, in particular the R1 side-chain of cephalosporins, that appear to drive true immune-mediated cross-reactivity. Further advances in risk-based approaches to skin testing, phenotyping, and re-exposure challenges are needed to standardize antibiotic allergy evaluation. SUMMARY Recent advances in defining true IgE-mediated drug allergy have helped to identify patients unlikely to be skin-test positive. In turn, this has identified patients who can skip skin testing and proceed to direct ingestion challenge using history risk-based approaches. The ability to identify the small number of patients with true IgE-mediated allergy and study their natural history over time, as well as the vast majority without true allergy will facilitate important and novel mechanistic discoveries.
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Copaescu AM, Vogrin S, Shand G, Ben-Shoshan M, Trubiano JA. Validation of the PEN-FAST Score in a Pediatric Population. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2233703. [PMID: 36121658 PMCID: PMC9486451 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.33703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This cohort study examines a clinical decision model for penicillin allergies among pediatric patients; the model considers when reactions occurred; whether patients experienced angioedema, anaphylaxis, or a severe cutaneous adverse reaction; and whether treatment was required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Copaescu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sara Vogrin
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - Greg Shand
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, MUHC, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Moshe Ben-Shoshan
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Dermatology, Montreal Children’s Hospital, MUHC, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jason A. Trubiano
- Centre for Antibiotic Allergy and Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
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9
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Arıkoğlu T, Kuyucu S, Caubet JC. New diagnostıc perspectives in the management of pediatrıc beta-lactam allergy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2022; 33:e13745. [PMID: 35338725 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Since overdiagnosis of beta-lactam (BL) allergy is common in the pediatric population, delabeling is a critical part of antimicrobial stewardship. Undesirable consequences of inaccurate BL allergy labeling can be handled by incorporating traditional delabeling or newer risk-based strategies into antibiotic stewardship programs. Conventional assessment of BL allergy relies upon a stepwise algorithm including a clinical history with skin testing followed by drug provocation tests (DPTs). However, a growing number of studies highlighted the suboptimal diagnostic value of skin testing in children. Recently, there has been a paradigm shift in the practice of BL allergy assessment due to recent challenging data which emphasize the safety and accuracy of direct DPTs in children with a suspicion of non-immediate mild cutaneous reactions such as maculopapular eruption, delayed urticaria, and possibly also for benign immediate reactions such as urticaria/angioedema. Identifying low-risk BL allergy patients, in whom skin tests can be skipped and proceeding directly to DPTs could be safe, has become a hot topic in recent years. New risk stratification and predictive modeling studies that have the potential to better predict BL allergy risk status have recently been introduced into the field of drug allergy, particularly in adults. However, in contrast to adults, risk assessment studies in children are rare, and optimal risk definitions are controversial. In the coming years, promising potential methods to elucidate the predictors of BL allergy in children will require multidimensional approaches that may include predictive analytics, artificial intelligence techniques, and point-of-care clinical decision tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuğba Arıkoğlu
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Semanur Kuyucu
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Jean-Christoph Caubet
- Pediatric Allergy Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
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Elzagallaai AA, Rieder MJ. Model Based Evaluation of Hypersensitivity Adverse Drug Reactions to Antimicrobial Agents in Children. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:638881. [PMID: 33995043 PMCID: PMC8120305 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.638881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug use in children is-in most cases-supported by extrapolation of data generated from clinical trials in adult populations. This puts children at higher risk of developing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to "off-label" use of drugs and dosing issues. Major types of ADRs are drug hypersensitivity reactions, an idiosyncratic type of ADRs that are largely unpredictable and can cause high morbidity and mortality in a hard-to-identify specific population of patients. Lack of a complete understanding of the pathophysiology of DHRs and their unpredictive nature make them problematic in clinical practice and in drug development. In addition, ethical and legal obstacles hinder conducting large clinical trials in children, which in turn make children a "therapeutic orphan" where clear clinical guidelines are lacking, and practice is based largely on the personal experience of the clinician, hence making modeling desirable. This brief review summarizes the current knowledge of model-based evaluation of diagnosis and management of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) to antimicrobial drugs in the pediatric population. Ethical and legal aspects of drug research in children and the effect of different stages of child development and other factors on the risk of DHRs are discussed. The role of animal models, in vitro models and oral provocation test in management of DHRs are examined in the context of the current understanding of the pathophysiology of DHRs. Finally, recent changes in drug development legislations have been put forward to encourage drug developers to conduct trials in children clearly indicate the urgent need for evidence to support drug safety in children and for modeling to guide these clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelbaset A Elzagallaai
- Department of Paediatrics, London, ON, Canada.,Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J Rieder
- Department of Paediatrics, London, ON, Canada.,Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Li J, Cvetanovski V, Fernando S. Single-step direct drug provocation testing is safe for delabelling selected non-low-risk penicillin allergy labels. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2021; 127:232-235. [PMID: 33865989 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Penicillin allergy labels are prevalent, and removal of incorrect labels improves patient outcomes and health economics. Labels may be classified as "low-risk" or "non-low-risk," of which the symptoms of the latter chiefly suggest immunoglobulin E-mediated etiology. Traditionally, "non-low-risk" allergy labels are evaluated by penicillin skin testing followed by graded multistep penicillin drug provocation testing (DPT). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety of assessing "non-low-risk" labels with single-step direct DPT. METHODS We consecutively enrolled inpatients and outpatients of a teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, with penicillin allergy labels requiring penicillin for first-line treatment. Patients were classified as "low-risk" or "non-low-risk" based on the allergy labels. All patients proceeded directly to amoxicillin DPT, unless there was a history of anaphylaxis within 10 years of assessment to a beta-lactam (except for cefazolin) or Gell and Coombs type 2, type 3, or severe type 4 reaction. This was followed by a course of amoxicillin. RESULTS A total of 149 patients (41 inpatients, 108 outpatients) were enrolled. No patient was excluded from the study. No patient experienced life-threatening reactions to the protocol. There were 85 patients who reported "non-low-risk" allergy labels. One patient developed generalized pruritus and rash that resolved with standard-dose antihistamines, 2 developed delayed benign maculopapular exanthem, and 3 experienced diarrhea during the course of amoxicillin. CONCLUSION In our cohort, direct single-step DPT was safe, with only 6 patients with "non-low-risk" allergy experiencing benign reactions. We hope that further studies can be performed into single-step direct DPT to evaluate "non-low-risk" penicillin allergy labels. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: LNR/16/HAWKE/452.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamma Li
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia; University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Vera Cvetanovski
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Suran Fernando
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia; University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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