title: Dilemmas and controversies in penicillin allergy.
abstract: Since the initial reports of penicillin and beta-lactam drugs causing allergic reactions, much has been elucidated regarding their pathophysiology and mechanism of action. Despite advances in testing for penicillin allergy, with IgE antibodies and skin tests available for the major and minor determinants of penicillin, these reactions remain a challenge to all physicians. They have characteristically been classified according to mechanism and time. Herein, the authors propose a classification system of penicillin allergy based on immunologic mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergic Diseases and Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. thethi.arveen@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Arveen K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Thethi
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Van Dellen
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E