Penicillin anaphylaxis: fatality in elderly patients without a history of penicillin allergy.
Two anaphylactic fatalities following penicillin administration are reported. Neither of the two patients had a history of previous penicillin allergy. Both were elderly and suffered from active cardiovascular disease. Penicillin skin testing may be indicated in some high-risk patients requiring parenteral penicillin, despite a negative history for penicillin allergy.
Department of Medicine, Wadsworth Veterans Administration Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90073.
M A
MA
Sue
D T
DT
Noritake
W B
WB
Klaustermeyer
D000368:Aged; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000009:adverse effects*
D010400:Penicillin G