Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Mar;31(1):48-54.

Evaluation of Changed Antibiotics in Case of Positive Antibiotics Skin Test

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Antibiotics skin test (AST) is routinely performed to examine hypersensitivity in clinical practice. However, it is difficult to select antibiotics in case of positive AST because of poor validation of AST, cross-reactions among beta-lactams, etc.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the change of antibiotics and following results in case of positive AST. METHOD: Eighty-six hospitalized patients with positive AST between June 2008 and May 2009 were enrolled. The changing patterns of antibiotics, skin test-reactivity of changed antibiotics, history of antibiotics allergy and adverse events after administration of antibiotics were examined in review of medical records. RESULT: The patients with positive AST were 95 cases. The skin test positive-antibiotics were 11 penicillins and 84 cephalosporins, respectively. The finally administered antibiotics were changed in 84 patients except 2 patients, which were non beta-lactams in 13 patients, cephalosporins in 59 patients, and penicillins in 14 patients. Total 3 (3.5%) adverse reactions (ADRs) were reported. Among them, one was reported in 2 patients whose antibiotics were not changed and 2 (2.4%) in remaining 84 patients.
CONCLUSION
Most antibiotics were changed and the changing patterns of antibiotics were varied in case of positive AST. The guidelines for changing antibiotics are needed.

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
beta-Lactams
Cephalosporins
Drug Hypersensitivity
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Penicillins
Skin
Skin Tests
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cephalosporins
Penicillins
beta-Lactams