IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to cephalosporins: cross-reactivity and tolerability of penicillins, monobactams, and carbapenems.
BACKGROUND
There have been few studies regarding the cross-reactivity and tolerability of penicillins, aztreonam, and carbapenems in large samples of subjects with cephalosporin allergy.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the possibility of using penicillins, monobactams, and carbapenems in subjects with cephalosporin allergy who especially require them.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective study of 98 consecutive subjects who had 106 immediate reactions (mostly anaphylactic shock) to cephalosporins and had positive skin test results for these drugs. To assess the cross-reactivity with penicillins, monobactams, and carbapenems and the tolerability of such alternative β-lactams, all subjects underwent skin tests and serum-specific IgE assays with penicillin reagents, as well as skin tests with aztreonam, imipenem/cilastatin, and meropenem. Subjects with negative test results were challenged with meropenem, imipenem/cilastatin, aztreonam, and amoxicillin.


RESULTS
Positive allergologic test results to penicillins were displayed by 25 (25.5%) subjects, including 1 with positive results to all reagents tested and another with a positive result to aztreonam. Another subject had positive results to both ceftazidime and aztreonam. A reaction to cephalosporins with side-chain structures similar or identical to those of penicillins was a significant predictor of cross-reactivity because of an increased 3-fold risk of positive results on allergologic tests with penicillin determinants. Challenges with alternative β-lactams were tolerated, with the exception of 1 urticarial reaction to imipenem/cilastatin.


CONCLUSIONS
About 25% of subjects with cephalosporin allergy had positive results to penicillins, 3.1% to aztreonam, 2% to imipenem/cilastatin, and 1% to meropenem. In those who especially require alternative β-lactams, pretreatment skin tests are advisable because negative results indicate tolerability of the β-lactam concerned.
Romano
Antonino
A
Allergy Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Rome, Italy. antoninoromano@h-columbus.it
Gaeta
Francesco
F
Valluzzi
Rocco Luigi
RL
Caruso
Cristiano
C
Rumi
Gabriele
G
Bousquet
Philippe Jean
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008997:Monobactams / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D055815:Young Adult
D015780:Carbapenems; D002511:Cephalosporins; D008997:Monobactams; D010406:Penicillins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E