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Urticaria caused by sensitization to aztreonam
R de la Fuente Prieto1, A Armentia Medina, P Sanchez Palla
1Allergy Department, Hospital del Rio Hortega, Valladolid, Spain.
Allergy
|November 1, 1993
Summary
A patient developed widespread hives after an aztreonam injection. Allergy to aztreonam was confirmed, but other beta-lactam antibiotics were well-tolerated.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Beta-lactam antibiotics are widely used, but hypersensitivity reactions can occur.
- Aztreonam is a monobactam antibiotic with a distinct structure from penicillins and cephalosporins.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old female patient experienced generalized urticaria following an aztreonam injection.
- The urticarial reaction manifested as widespread itchy, raised welts on the skin.
Findings:
- In vitro and in vivo immunological studies were conducted to investigate the cause of the reaction.
- The diagnostic workup confirmed a specific allergy to aztreonam.
- Crucially, the patient demonstrated good tolerance to other beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of specific allergy testing for beta-lactam antibiotics.
- It suggests that patients allergic to aztreonam may still be able to tolerate other classes of beta-lactams.
- Accurate diagnosis can prevent unnecessary avoidance of potentially safe and effective antibiotic classes.