Generalized Bullous Fixed Drug Eruption to Fluconazole with Positive Patch Testing and Confirmed Tolerance to Itraconazole

Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE) is a specific variant of fixed drug eruption that belongs to severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) and its diagnosis is based mainly on clinical course and especially on the reoccurrence of typical bullous lesions in previous and new sites after re-administration of the offending drug. We present a well-documented case of fluconazole-induced GBFDE, with a positive patch test to fluconazole (30% weight/volume preparation) and clinical tolerance to itraconazole proven by negative oral provocation. Even in SCARs, patch testing represents a useful diagnostic tool, while oral provocation remains the gold standard in cases that an alternative but the chemically relevant drug must be administered.

Resources Assessment for Penicillin Allergy Testing Performed by Pharmacists at the Patient’s Bedside

Background: False penicillin allergies lead to increased antimicrobial resistance, adverse effects, and health care costs by promoting the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends the implementation of allergy testing. Objectives: The primary objective of this research was to estimate the number of pharmacist full-time equivalents (FTEs) required for an intervention aimed at determining penicillin allergy in hospitalized patients. Acceptance of pharmacists’ suggestions on antibiotic therapy are described. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a 712-bed university hospital involving hospitalized patients with a suspected penicillin allergy and an infection treatable with penicillin. The time required for the intervention, which included a questionnaire, penicillin allergy testing (skin-prick test, intradermal injection, and oral provocation test), and recommendations on antibiotic therapy were measured to calculate the number of pharmacist FTEs. Results: A total of 55 patients were included. Scarification allergy testing was performed on 37, intradermal allergy test on 33, and oral provocation test on 26 patients. The intervention ruled out penicillin allergy in 26 patients, with no serious adverse effects. The intervention was associated with a median weekly pharmacist FTE of 0.15 (interquartile range = 0.12-0.25). The acceptance of pharmacists’ suggestions was high and led to 9 patients being switched to an antibiotic with a narrower spectrum of activity. Conclusions and Relevance: This study describes penicillin allergy testing and the number of median weekly hospital pharmacist FTEs required, which was approximately 0.15. These data may aid in the implementation of this safe intervention that promotes narrower-spectrum antibiotherapy.

Algorithm of conducting oral provocation tests with milk in 1–3-year-old children: analysis of existing standards and own experience

Introduction. Food allergy is an urgent problem in modern pediatrics. Cow’s milk is the main food allergen in young children. By the age of one year, from 0.5 % to 3 % of children suffer from cow’s milk protein allergy. Aim. To analyze the existing standards of conducting oral provocation tests with milk in young children and suggest own algorithm of diagnostics. Materials and methods. Algorithm of diagnosing cow’s milk allergy was probated in 107 children aged from one to three years in Communal Municipal Children’s Clinical Hospital. To diagnose cow’s milk allergy, compilation of allergological anamnesis, examination, assessment of physical development, and determination of specific IgE to cow’s milk are performed. Then, different oral provocation tests are conducted based on the obtained results: at the allergist’s office on an outpatient basis, in a specialized inpatient department, in an intensive care unit. Results. Among 107 children, who were subjected to oral provocation test with milk, cow’s milk protein allergy was diagnosed in 67 (62.62 %). In children, who were diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy (n = 67), skin (41.79 %) and gastrointestinal (28.36 %) symptoms prevailed. In the group of children with predictable low risk of allergy, diameter of a papule equaled 3.86 ± 0.62 mm2, the level of specific IgE to milk in blood serum was 0.58 [0.37–0.68], and in the group with medium risk – 5.51 ± 1.38 mm2 and 3.62 [0.86–9.66] kU/L, respectively. All 40 children, in whom cow’s milk protein allergy was not confirmed, constituted the group with predictable low risk of reaction development. Diameter of a papule during prick-test equaled 3.13 ± 0.24 mm2, the level of specific IgE to milk in blood serum was 0.36 [0.35–0.67] kU/L. In this group of children, complaints of gastrointestinal symptoms (82.5 %) prevailed. Conclusions. A complex diagnostic approach, in particular, study of anamnesis, examination, assessment of physical development, record of food diary, determination of specific IgE to milk, oral provocation tests enable to optimize diagnostics of food allergy and choose further therapeutic tactics. Algorithm of diagnosing cow’s milk protein allergy in 1–3-year-old children has been elaborated, which can be recommended for common application in clinical practice.