title: Penicillin desensitization in the treatment of syphilis during pregnancy.
abstract: The objective of this study was to compare patients' hospital course, complications, and charges for oral and intravenous (i.v.) desensitization regimens for the treatment of syphilis in the penicillin-allergic gravida. We performed a retrospective search of medical records at two tertiary-level teaching hospitals and reviewed the hospital course of penicillin-allergic gravidas who underwent penicillin desensitization. Between August 1988 and December 1995, 16 procedures for penicillin desensitization were carried out: 11 oral procedures, and 6 i.v. procedures. There were no significant differences between the patients in the oral and i.v. desensitization groups with respect to demographic characteristics, duration of time in a monitored bed, or length of hospital stay. The oral regimen was less expensive than the i.v. regimen ($144.06 vs. $319.48). In our experience, oral and i.v. regimens provide effective desensitization for the treatment of syphilis in penicillin-allergic gravidas. However, the oral route offers ease of administration and substantial cost savings, making it the preferred method.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chisholm
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bowes
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins