[Allergy to penicillins and to cephalosporins: should we fear cross-reactivity?].
The diagnosis of allergy to penicillins is based on a positive history and cutaneous tests. The sensitivity of these tests is around 70%, therefore it is sometimes necessary to supplement them with in vitro tests, more rarely with drug provocation challenges. Among patients allergic to penicillin, 1 to 2% will develop an allergy to cephalosporins in the event of exposure to this antibiotic class. In this paper, we describe options for investigating and treating allergy to penicillins and cephalosporins.
Iten
A
A
Service de Médecine Interne Générale, Département de Médecine, HUG, Genève. anne.iten@hcuge.ch
Plojoux
J
J
Taramarcaz
P
P
D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D006801:Humans; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects*
D002511:Cephalosporins; D010406:Penicillins