Surface fixation as a rapid test for detection of penicillin antibodies

Surface fixation has been used to detect antigen antibody-reactions with bacteria, protozooa and in some instances with drugs considered responsible of adverse reactions attributed to allergy. The application of this method to penicillin is reported. The test has been positive with serum from well-proven cases of hypersensitivity but also in subjects that had undergone penicillin treatment. So far, no comparative observations with conventional tests have been made; however, if the presence of circulating antibody is considered the cause of adverse reactions to penicillin, this simple test may have clinical usefulness.