title: Skin testing for Beta-lactam antibiotics: impact of the availability of a major determinant.
abstract: Beta-lactam antibiotics are very effective agents for a variety of infections. In patients with beta-lactam allergy, these drugs are withheld due to fear of subsequent allergic reactions. Therefore, increasing their exposure to broad spectrum antibiotics, which are more costly, have greater side effects, and increase the risk of developing resistant organisms. Up to 90 % of patients with a proposed beta-lactam sensitivity can tolerate beta lactam agents after appropriate evaluation. Skin testing to beta-lactam agents is the gold standard in evaluating patients with type I, immediate hypersensitivity reactions. The robust negative predictive value of this test has yet to be surpassed by any other testing modality currently available.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Fatima S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams