title: [Allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics].
abstract: Beta-lactam antibiotics allergies are common. Up to 10% of the population describe a former allergy to penicillins. However only 10 to 15% of these individuals are actually allergic. In most cases, beta-lactam antibiotics will be avoided and replaced by other antibiotics such as quinolones. This fear of a serious allergic reaction has an economic impact and may lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. A thorough allergic work-up can accurately determine true allergic patients. Most of the patients with a proven allergy will be able to tolerate other antibiotics belonging to the beta-lactam family. This article focuses on the management of beta-lactam allergic patients.
authors.affiliation: Service d'immunologie et allergie CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. Denis.Comte@chuv.ch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comte
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petitpierre
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spertini
authors.forename: P-A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bart
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D001618:beta-Lactamases
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001618:beta-Lactamases