Penicillins allergy allergic sensitivity

Allergy to penicillins is a fairly common phenomenon and is estimated to occur in 2—8% of patients (1, 3 ). Probably due to the repeated and frequent use of penicillins, allergic reactions have become increasingly frequent and severe. It is estimated that approximately 3000 anaphylactic reactions occur annually, of which 10% are fatal (2 ). One reviewer (2 ) has interpreted the evidence to date as suggesting that severe reactions are most likely to occur in patients with a history of atopic asthma, hay fever, or atopic dermatitis. This opinion has also been recently ventured by Parker (5 ). However, the opposite view is put forward by Horowitz (6 ) this author cites a study by Green et al. (1971) on 1027 patients in which it was found that there was no correlation between penicillin reactions (or sensitivity) and a family or personal history of allergy. According to Horowitz this study has since been extended to cover somewhat more than 3000 patients. 

Allergic manifestations The cephalosporins should be avoided or used with caution in individuals allergic to penicillins (about 5 to 15% show cross-sensitivity). In contrast, the incidence of allergic reactions to cephalosporins is 1-2% in patients without a history of allergy to penicillins. 

Once an individual is alleigjic to one penicillin, he or she is most likely allergic to all of the penicillins. Those alleigic to penicillin also have a higher incidence of allei to the cephalosporins (see Ch ). 8). Allergy to dni in the same or related groups is called cross-sensitivity or cross-allergenicity. 

Robinson OPW (1968) Comparative cutaneous sensitivity studies in man with benzyl-penicillin and its purified counterpart. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 7 550 Rose NR, Reisman RE, Witebsky E, Arbesman CE (1962) Serum sickness III. Characterization of antigens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 33 250 Rose NR, Giard JP, Kunz ML (1966) Tissue culture of lymphocytes from allergic patients. J Allergy 37 112... 

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