title: Penicillin resensitization among hospitalized patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of resensitization to penicillin after oral or intravenous treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics in hospitalized patients with histories of penicillin allergy. Seventeen adults (aged 24 to 76 years) and one child (aged 10 years) were treated intravenously and/or orally with beta-lactam antibiotics after negative skin tests were obtained with benzylpenicilloyl polylysine, potassium penicillin G, and alkaline hydrolysis products of penicillin G as minor determinant mixture. Repeat skin testing was performed 1 to 12 months after the therapy. Three patients (16%) became skin test positive after the treatment. Two patients reacted to potassium penicillin G alone, and the other patient reacted to benzylpenicilloyl polylysine and minor determinant mixture. These three patients were among the 15 patients who were treated with intravenous antibiotics. This study reveals a high percentage of skin test conversion after intravenously administered penicillin therapy and confirms the present practice of advising patients with a history of penicillin allergy who have successfully completed penicillin treatment to have a repeat skin test before future exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, N.Y. 14642.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Parrinello
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Condemi
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007769:Lactams; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007769:Lactams; D010406:Penicillins