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Previous Volume 354:601-609 February 9, 2006 Number 6 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the authors' clinical recommendations.

A 55-year-old woman presents to the hospital with cellulitis. She reports a history of urticaria 30 years earlier associated with taking penicillin for a respiratory tract infection. Should cephalosporins be avoided? More generally, how should patients with a history of allergy to antibiotics be evaluated and treated?

The Clinical Problem

Although allergic reactions to antibiotics account for only a small proportion of reported adverse drug . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Pathogenetic Features

Clinical Features

Special Cases

            Human Immunodeficiency Virus

            Cystic Fibrosis

            Infectious Mononucleosis

Strategies and Evidence

Clinical Assessment

Diagnostic Tests

            Skin Testing

            Other Testing

Treatment

            Drug Desensitization

            Graded Challenge

Cephalosporin in Patients with Penicillin Allergy

Sulfonamide Allergy

Areas of Uncertainty

Guidelines

Conclusions and Recommendations

Source Information

From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (R.S.G.); and the Department of Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom (M.P.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Gruchalla at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-8859, or at rebecca.gruchalla@utsouthwestern.edu.

Related Letters:

Antibiotic Allergy
Eschenauer G. A., Regal R. E., DePestel D. D., Gruchalla R. S., Pirmohamed M.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2006; 354:2293-2294, May 25, 2006. Correspondence

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Levy, J. H., Adkinson, N. F. Jr (2008). Anaphylaxis During Cardiac Surgery: Implications for Clinicians. Anesth. Analg. 106: 392-403 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Fletcher, N., Sofianos, D., Berkes, M. B., Obremskey, W. T. (2007). Prevention of Perioperative Infection. JBJS 89: 1605-1618 [Full Text]  
• Harris, J., Kalus, R. M., Shojania, K. G., Saint, S. (2007). Lost in Transcription. NEJM 356: 311-311 [Full Text]  
• Eschenauer, G. A., Regal, R. E., DePestel, D. D., Gruchalla, R. S., Pirmohamed, M. (2006). Antibiotic allergy.. NEJM 354: 2293-2294 [Full Text]