Publication
Title
The limited value of prolonged drug challenges in nonimmediate amoxicillin (clavulanic acid) hypersensitivity
Author
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Misdiagnosis of amoxicillin (clavulanic acid) (AX(/CL)) hypersensitivity has serious consequences. A drug challenge (DC) is the final diagnostic to affirm or infirm AX(/CL) hypersensitivity. However, uncertainties remain whether a prolonged drug challenge (pDC) should benefit the diagnosis of a nonimmediate AX(/CL) hypersensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the added value of a standardized 7-day pDC in the diagnosis of nonimmediate or unclear penicillin hypersensitivity. METHODS: A total of 132 patients with a history of a nonimmediate hypersensitivity reaction or an unclear reaction to AX(/CL) or an undefined penicillin with a negative diagnostic workup including a single-day DC (DC) with AX(/CL) were selected. In all these patients, an additional pDC with AX(/CL) was planned. Thirteen patients started the pDC immediately after the DC. To ensure that hypersensitivity symptoms manifesting during the pDC course do not result from the DC, in the remaining 119 patients, the pDC was scheduled after a washout of 1 week. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients (12 without washout, 116 with washout) completed the pDC. Three patients reacted with a mild maculopapular exanthema. However, the value of a pDC was evidenced in only 1 patient who reacted during her pDC after an uneventful washout. In 2 patients pDC was cancelled because they reacted during the washout. CONCLUSIONS: A pDC is of limited added value to the diagnostic algorithms of nonimmediate hypersensitivity reaction or unclear hypersensitivity reactions to AX(/CL). In our hands, the traditionally recommended diagnostic algorithm that offers a 1-day DC as a final diagnostic in patients with negative workup for AX(/CL) is appropriate. (C) 2019 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice. - New York, NY, 2013, currens
Publication
New York, NY : Elsevier Inc , 2019
ISSN
2213-2198
DOI
10.1016/J.JAIP.2019.04.021
Volume/pages
7 :7 (2019) , p. 2225-+
ISI
000484456300019
Pubmed ID
31034997
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
The scourge of unverified and spurious "penicillin allergy": a preventable clinical and public health menace.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 07.10.2019
Last edited 06.01.2025
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