Drug hypersensitivity penicillins

Immune vasculitis can also be induced by drugs. The sulfonamides, penicillin, thiouracil, anticonvulsants, and iodides have all been implicated in the initiation of hypersensitivity angiitis. Erythema multiforme is a relatively mild vasculitic skin disorder that may be secondary to drug hypersensitivity. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is probably a more severe form of this hypersensitivity reaction and consists of erythema multiforme, arthritis, nephritis, central nervous system abnormalities, and myocarditis. It has frequently been associated with sulfonamide therapy. Administration of nonhuman monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies such as rattlesnake antivenin may cause serum sickness. 

The most serious hypersensitivity reactions produced by the penicillins are angioedema and anaphylaxis. Acute anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions to the penicillins constitute the most important immediate danger connected with their use. Among all drugs, the penicillins are most often responsible for this type of untoward effect. Anaphylactoid reactions to penicillins may occur at any age their incidence is thought to be 0.004-0.04%. About 0.001% of patients treated with these agents die from anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis most often has followed parenteral use but also has been observed after oral or intradermal administration. The most dramatic reaction is sudden hypotension and death. In other instances, bronchoconstriction with severe asthma abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting extreme weakness or diarrhea and purpuric skin eruptions have characterized the anaphylactic episodes. 

Waldbott GL (1949) Anaphylactic death from penicillin. JAMA 139 526 Waldo JF, Tyson JT (1949) Hypersensitivity to penicillin. Am J Med 6 396 Walsh WE, Markowitz H, Jones JD, Gleich GJ (1971) Macromolecular contaminants in penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. J Allergy 47 159 Warrington RJ, Tse KS (1979) Lymphocyte transformation studies in drug hypersensitivity. Can Med Assoc J 120 1089... 

Atopu - The immunologic disorders caused by IgE antibodies, colloquially referred to as "allergies." Examples are hay fever, certain forms of asthma and drug hypersensitivities (e.g., "penicillin allergy"). 

Assays for Serum Antibodies - Serum antibodies appear to be present in rather low concentrations in drug hypersensitivity in man. For example, in penicillin hypersensitivity, the serum concentrations of BPO-specific antibody protein is under 20-30 pg per ml. and most commonly under 5 pg/ml. Thus the quantitative precipitin analysis, which cannot accurately assay less than about 50 pg/ml, cannot generally be used for drug hypersensitivity. However,there are rare reports of precipitating antibody in drug allergy. 

As with all drugs, the specific side effects of the quinolones must be considered when they are chosen for treatment of bacterial infections [5]. Reactions of the gastrointestinal tract and the central neivous system are the most often observed adverse effects during therapy with quinolones. It should be underlined, however, that compared with many other antimicrobials, diarrhea is less frequently observed during quinolone treatment. Antibiotic-associated colitis has been observed rarely during quinolone therapy. Similarly, hypersensitivity reactions, as observed during therapy with penicillins and other (3-lactams, is less frequently caused by quinolones. Some other risks of quinolone therapy have been defined and must be considered if a drug from this class is chosen for treatment of bacterial infections. 

A hypersensitivity (or allergic) reaction to a drug occurs in some individuals, especially those with a history of allergy to many substances. Signs and symptoms of a hypersensitivity to penicillin are highlighted in Display 7-3. 

The nurse should observe the patient closely for a hypersensitivity reaction, which may occur any time during therapy with the penicillins If it should occur, it is important to contact the primary health care provider immediately and withhold the drug until the patient is seen by the primary health care provider. 

Hypersensitivity reactions with P-lactam antibiotics, especially penicillin, may encompass any of the type I through IV Gell-Coombs classifications. The most common reactions are maculopapular and urticarial eruptions.7 While rare (less than 0.05%), anaphylaxis to penicillins causes the greatest concern because they are responsible for the majority of drug-induced anaphylaxis deaths in patients, accounting for 75% of all ana-i phylaxis cases in the United States.5,8 The treatment of ana-I phylaxis is given in Table 51-2.9... 

The answers are 25-e, 26-b, 27-a. (Hardmanr pp 67—68. Katzung, pp 30, 134.) Anaphylaxis refers to an acute hypersensitivity reaction that appears to be mediated primarily by immunoglobulin E (IgE). Specific antigens can interact with these antibodies and cause sensitized mast cells to release vasoactive substances, such as histamine. Anaphylaxis to penicillin is one of the best-known examples the drug of choice to relieve the symptoms is epinephrine. 

Vancomycin is effective and is the drug of choice for the patient with a history of immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin. When vancomycin is used, the addition of gentamicin is not recommended. 

Antibiotics Isoniazid Penicillins Hypersensitivity and Autoimmunity Rash, dermatitis, vasculitis, arthritis, drug-induced SLE Anaphylaxis, dermatitis vasculitis, serum sickness, hemolytic anemia... 

Hypersensitivity reactions Make careful inquiry for a history of hypersensitivity reactions. Monitor patients who have had immediate hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins or cephalosporins. If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue the drug and institute supportive treatment. Cross-sensitivity with other penicillins or -lactam antibiotics is rare. 

Erythromycin is effective in the treatment and prevention of S. pyogenes and other streptococcal infections, but not those caused by the more resistant fecal streptococci. Staphylococci are generally susceptible to erythromycin, so this antibiotic is a suitable alternative drug for the penicillin-hypersensitive individual. It is a second-line drug for the treatment of gonorrhea and syphilis. Although erythromycin is popular for the treatment of middle ear and sinus infections, including H. influenzae, possible erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae is a concern. 

Hypersensitivity reactions (ranging from rash, urticaria, and fever to anaphylaxis) occur in fewer than 5% of patients, most commonly in patients with a history of drug allergies, especially to penicillins. 

The penicillins are nontoxic and remarkably safe drug. The hypersensitivity reaction leading to anaphylaxis is only major problem which is seen in approximately 5 to 10% of the patients taking penicillin. 

Cefazolin penetrates well into most tissues. It is a drug of choice for surgical prophylaxis. Cefazolin may be a choice in infections for which it is the least toxic drug (eg, penicillinase-producing E coli or pneumoniae) and in persons with staphylococcal or streptococcal infections who have a history of penicillin allergy other than immediate hypersensitivity. Cefazolin does not penetrate the central nervous system and cannot be used to treat meningitis. Cefazolin is an alternative to an antistaphylococcal penicillin for patients who are allergic to penicillin. 

Cephalosporins are sensitizing and may elicit a variety of hypersensitivity reactions that are identical to those of penicillins, including anaphylaxis, fever, skin rashes, nephritis, granulocytopenia, and hemolytic anemia. However, the chemical nucleus of cephalosporins is sufficiently different from that of penicillins so that some individuals with a history of penicillin allergy may tolerate cephalosporins. The frequency of cross-allergenicity between the two groups of drugs is uncertain but is probably around 5-10%. However, patients with a history of anaphylaxis to penicillins should not receive cephalosporins. 

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