Beta-lactam Allergy Review: Implications for Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs

AbstractPurpose of reviewBeta-lactam allergies, and specifically penicillin allergies, result in receipt of therapy that is not considered first line in many instances. Being labeled as allergic many times comes via subjective history from the patient. Carrying this label can cause a patient to receive broad-spectrum therapy with increased side effects and resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship programs can play a role in allergy evaluation and intervention based on resources. This review provides an update on beta-lactam allergies and emphasizes incorporation of evaluating these patients as a core tenant of antimicrobial stewardship.Recent findingsMany patients with a listed beta-lactam allergy are not truly allergic and can have the allergy removed with proper evaluation. Patients who have low-risk histories that are unlikely to be IgE mediated can safely be re-challenged. High-risk patients or those with an unknown history can be desensitized or skin tested (if allergic to penicillin). All strategies should result in proper labeling or de-labeling in the electronic health record. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are recommended to be involved in allergy assessments to create testing and treatment strategies.SummaryDeciding whether an allergic patient is a candidate for re-challenge or graded-challenge, penicillin skin testing, or desensitization is paramount to antimicrobial stewardship programs in conjunction with an allergist, if available.
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research