Cephalosporins' Cross-Reactivity and the High Degree of Required Knowledge. Case Report and Review of the Literature

Norfloxacin Fluorescent Probe for the Assessment of Cefepime in Biological Fluids and Pharmaceutical Formulation; Investigation of the Greenness and Blueness Characteristics

In the present study, a norfloxacin (NFX) fluorescent probe was tailored for the spectrofluorometric measurement of cefepime (CFP). The proposed approach measured the quenching effect of CFP on the fluorescence intensity of NFX in acetate buffer solution. The obtained results show that CFP strongly quenches the fluorescence of NFX in a static mechanism. Under the optimal conditions, plotting the fluorescence quenching values (∆F) against CFP concentrations resulted in two ranges varying from 0.8 to 28 μg/mL (r2 = 0.9979) and from 40 to 92 μg/mL (r2 = 0.9929). Furthermore, the limits of quantification and detection were 2.0526 and 0.6773 μg/mL, respectively. In terms of intra- and inter-day recorded precisions (n = 5), the % RSD ranged between 0.31% and 0.6% and 0.55% and 1.02%, respectively. Additionally, practicality/applicability and the green feature of the new method were considered by BAGI and AGREE automated approaches. The new spectrofluorometric approach was positively applied for the quantification of CFP in injection powder and spiked biological fluids, including spiked human urine and plasma samples. According to previously published fluorescence methods, the present method is considered the first fluorescence one for the assay of CFP in human biological fluids with accurate and precise results.

Ceftriaxone-Induced Hemolytic Anemia: A Rare and Fatal Reaction

Ceftriaxone, a regularly used antibiotic for broad-spectrum coverage, is a rare cause of hemolytic anemia. Patients may present with truncal pain, nausea, vomiting, and an acute drop in hemoglobin within 48 hours of administration. Prompt recognition and initiation of treatment are essential. We describe a case of a 65-year-old woman being treated for osteomyelitis who developed hemolytic anemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multi-system organ failure after being de-escalated from cefepime to ceftriaxone.

Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis: National Database Analysis

(1) Background: National health system databases represent an important source of information about the epidemiology of adverse drug reactions including drug-induced allergy and anaphylaxis. Analysis of such databases may enhance the knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding the problem of drug-induced anaphylaxis. (2) Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was carried out of spontaneous reports (SRs) with data on drug-induced anaphylaxis (SRsAs) extracted from the Russian National Pharmacovigilance database (analyzed period 2 April 2019-21 June 2023). The percentage of SRsAs among SRs of drug-induced allergy (SRsDIAs) was calculated, as well as of pediatric, elderly, and fatal SrsAs. Drugs involved in anaphylaxis were assessed among total SRsAs, pediatric, and elderly SRsAs, and among fatal SRsAs. Demographic parameters of patients were assessed. (3) Results: SRsAs were reported in 8.3% of SRsDIAs (2304/27,727), the mean age of patients was 48.2 ± 15.8 years, and females accounted for 53.2% of cases. The main causative groups of drugs were antibacterials (ABs) for systemic use (44.6%), local anesthetics (20.0%), and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors (10.1%). Fatal SRsAs were reported in 9.5% (218/2304) of cases, the mean age of patients was 48.0 ± 16.7 years, and females accounted for 56.4% of cases. Pediatric SRsAs accounted for 3.9% of pediatric SRsDIAs and 5.8% of all SRsAs, with a mean age of 11.8 ± 4.5 years, and females acccounted for 51.9% of cases. Elderly SRsAs accounted for 2% of elderly SRsDIAs and 2.8% of all SRsAs, and the mean age was 73.0 ± 5.3 years, and females accounted for 43.5% of cases. ABs caused 40% of SRsAs in the elderly, 42.9% in children, and 50% of fatal SRsAs. (4) Conclusions: Our study revealed a relatively high proportion of anaphylaxis among SRs of drug-induced allergy. ABs were the most prevalent causative agents, especially in fatal SRsAs.

Death Due to Anaphylactic Reaction: The Role of the Forensic Pathologist in an Accurate Postmortem Diagnosis

Background and Objectives: The diagnosis of anaphylaxis comprehensively depends on both situational information and laboratory investigations. For this purpose, serum tryptase concentration is examined as an indicator of systemic mast cell mediator release, linked to an underlying anaphylactic process. Increased levels of tryptase may occur in some events different from anaphylaxis, but usually information from crime scene investigations is lacking and autoptic findings are not specific. For legal reasons, it is required to achieve a definite diagnosis of mast cell degranulation that can lead to a certain diagnosis of death from anaphylaxis. Immunohistochemistry seems to be a relatively simple, reliable, and easily repeatable method that can assist the forensic pathologist in the differential diagnosis of death from anaphylaxis. Materials and Methods: This work provides an overview of the current literature on immunohistochemical methods useful in the determination process of anaphylactic-related deaths. A systematic search, according to the PRISMA statement, was performed in databases to identify studies investigating immunohistochemical targets related to anaphylaxis death. Results: This work underscores the importance of anaphylaxis mediators such as tryptase, CD117, and chymase in the immunohistochemical analysis of anaphylactic deaths. Conclusions: According to the reviewed literature, the diagnosis of death due to anaphylaxis should depend not just on the suspicion of an anaphylactic reaction but also on confirming mast cell degranulation through the identification of IHC positivity for inflammatory mediators, particularly in the respiratory tract.

Potential Factors of Primary Hospital Healthcare Professionals in Hindering the Abolition of Routine Skin Test for Cephalosporin: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

In 2021, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of Chinese issued a document that no longer recommended the routine skin test for cephalosporin (RSTC). However, there is still resistance to the cancellation of RSTC in a primary hospital. The study aimed to explore the potential factors for hindering the abolition of the RSTC in a county-level hospital based on the PRECEDE model.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted on healthcare workers in the Pidu District People's Hospital, Chengdu, by online questionnaire from September 10 to September 25 in the 2021.The PRECEDE model was used to divide the potential factors of healthcare professionals in hindering the abolition of the RSTC into predisposing factors, enabling factors and reinforcing factors. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Chi-square test, multiple linear and multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

We collected 605 respondents' valid questionnaires. 254 healthcare professionals were against cancellation of the RSTC, accounting for 41.98%. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that working for 6~10 years (β = 1.953, P = 0.024), medium (β = 1.995, P = 0.030) or senior (β = 4.003, P = 0.007) professional qualification, pharmacists (β = 3.830, P = 0.013) and working in surgical department (β= 4.462, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher score of predisposing factors, enabling factors, and reinforcing factors on abolition of RSTC. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that pharmacists (OR=3.113, 95% CI: 1.341-7.223, P=0.030), medium professional qualification (OR=1.272, 95% CI: 0.702-2.302, P=0.008), scores of predisposing factors (OR=1.335, 95% CI: 1.033-1.726, P=0.009), and scores of enabling factors (OR=1.208, 95% CI: 1.109-1.315, P<0.001) were independently associated with the positive anticipated behavior on the abolition of RSTC. While nurses (OR=0.516, 95% CI: 0.284-0.938, P<0.001) were independently associated with anticipated negative behavior.

Conclusion

Pharmacists, medium professional qualification, and healthcare professionals with higher scores of predisposing and enabling factors were more likely to have a positive anticipated behavior on the abolition of RSTC, while nurses did not.

Mast cells activation and high blood tryptase levels due to paclitaxel administration. Is Cremophor EL the culprit?: A case report

RATIONALE

Although the cancer incidence continues to rise, cancer mortality has declined over the past decade, in large part due to more efficacious chemotherapeutic regimens thus, the ability to use first-line chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of patients with cancer is crucial. Antineoplastic agents can potentially cause toxic and/or hypersensitivity reactions, that can have serious consequences. Anaphylaxis is a big pitfall in oncological patients; the most important aspect in diagnosing anaphylaxis is to precisely identify the offending agent to prevent future events. Paclitaxel (Taxol) is widely used as antitumor medication in the ovarian, breast, non-small-cell lung, and other cancers. Paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions are frequently described in the literature, but fatalities are rarely reported. Due to the low solubility of paclitaxel, the compound requires dissolution in Cremophor EL, a derivative of castor oil.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 79-year-old man was affected by high-grade non-papillary urothelial carcinoma and underwent a radical cystectomy and prostatectomy with locoregional lymphadenectomy.

DIAGNOSIS

Eight months later, relapse was detected, and penis amputation and left nephrostomy were performed. Multiple metastases to lymph nodes were detected.

INTERVENTIONS

Palliative chemotherapy was started with Paclitaxel (110 mg) infused at a rate of 50 mL/h. Despite premedication with cetirizine dihydrochloride, dexamethasone, ondansetron, ranitidine, 20 min after Paclitaxel infusion starts, the patient developed general distress, followed by cardiac arrest.

OUTCOMES

The mechanism of fatal paclitaxel-associated hypersensitivity reaction is uncertain and its solvent vehicle Cremophor EL may be involved. Several mechanisms have been postulated: an IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation induced by paclitaxel or Cremophor EL, a non-IgE-mediated idiosyncratic mast cell degranulation by paclitaxel or by Cremophor EL, and complement activation. Severe hypersensitivity reactions with fatal outcome are considered rare.

LESSONS

The unpredictability and often dramatic reactions of Taxol cause substantial anxiety for doctors and caretakers. They also represent a significant logistic and financial burden on hospitals. Despite premedication, skin testing, and desensitization protocols administration of taxane-based, chemotherapy cannot be considered safe and severe to fatal hypersensitivity reactions cannot be prevented.