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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
08:06
The Use of a β-lactamase-based Conductimetric Biosensor Assay to Detect Biomolecular Interactions
Published on: February 1, 2018
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Penicillin and Beta-Lactam Hypersensitivity.
1Division of Allergy and Immunology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
|October 3, 2017
Summary
Most reported penicillin allergies are incorrect; skin testing accurately identifies patients who can tolerate penicillins. Allergy evaluation reduces broad-spectrum antibiotic use and associated healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Penicillin allergy is reported by 10% of patients, but over 90% can tolerate penicillins.
- Incorrect penicillin allergy labels contribute to broad-spectrum antibiotic overuse, antimicrobial resistance, and increased healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of accurate penicillin allergy evaluation.
- To emphasize the benefits of penicillin allergy testing in reducing broad-spectrum antibiotic use.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and professional society recommendations on penicillin allergy evaluation.
- Discussion of the implications of penicillin allergy labeling on antibiotic prescribing patterns.
Main Results:
- Skin testing is the gold standard for evaluating IgE-mediated penicillin allergy.
- Removing inaccurate penicillin allergy labels decreases the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics like fluoroquinolones and vancomycin.
- Allergic cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins is minimal.
Conclusions:
- Accurate penicillin allergy assessment via skin testing is crucial for optimizing antibiotic selection.
- Reducing unnecessary penicillin allergy labels can mitigate antimicrobial resistance and healthcare expenditures.
- Cephalosporin allergy is typically side-chain specific, allowing for potential graded challenges.
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