title: Immunogenicity and allergenicity studies on two beta-lactam structures, a clavam, clavulanic acid, and a carbapenem: structure-activity relationships.
abstract: Two newer beta-lactam-containing structures, a clavam, clavulanic acid, and a carbapenem, MM22383, have been studied for their intrinsic immunogenicity and allergenicity. Clavulanic acid has a very low immunogenic and allergenic potential, in contrast to MM22383 which is a contact sensitiser in guinea pigs and an immunogen in rabbits. Evidence for the allergenic potential of MM22383 in man through occupational exposure is also presented. Consideration of the chemistry of these two compounds with respect to their reactivity with protein provides a rationale for the marked difference in their behaviour. The importance of stable hapten-protein conjugates and epitope density is discussed in relation to immunogenicity.
authors.affiliation: Beecham Pharmaceuticals Research Division, Biosciences Research Centre, Epsom, UK.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dewdney
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Dobrzanski
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D019818:Clavulanic Acid; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000276:immunology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000276:immunology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013845:Thienamycins; D019818:Clavulanic Acid; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010400:Penicillin G; C039536:panipenem