The Diagnosis of Beta-lactam Hypersensitivity in Thailand

The true prevalence of drug allergy in patients with a history of beta-lactam hypersensitivity will be determined by using commercially available standard skin test reagents and the diagnostic agents available in Thailand. We hypothesize that only minority of patients with such a history are truly allergic.

Patients with a history of beta-lactam hypersensitivity will be evaluated by the standard skin test reagents (major and minor determinants of penicillin, amoxicillin, and clavulanic if applicable), and intravenous forms of beta-lactam antibiotics . Diagnostic values of the measurement of specific Immunoglobulin E to penicillin/aminopenicillin and skin test reagents currently available in Thailand will be comparatively analyzed with the standard skin test reagents. The measurement of drug-induced interferon-gamma releasing cells will be measured in patients with a history of non-immediate reaction.