BackgroundHypersensitivity to penicillin has been studied worldwide,but data regarding patterns of sensitization in ArabianGulf countries are scarce.ObjectivesTo describe the patterns of penicillin hypersensitivity duringa 6-years study in Kuwait in terms of demographics,type of the culprit drug, in-vivo and in-vitro allergy testing.Methods124 patients referred to the drug allergy clinic for penicillinallergy were fully evaluated by skin prick andintradermal testing. Drug provocation test was done onpatients with negative results.ResultsTotal of 124 patients were evaluated for penicillin allergy.Mean age was 37.8 (SD 12.7) years, range from 8 to74 years. 39 (31.5%) male and 85 (68.5%) female patientswere included. Diagnosis of penicillin allergy was confirmedin 46 patients (37.1%). Among the 44 confirmedallergic patients by skin evaluation we had 15 (34.1%) positiveskin prick test, and 29 (65.9%) positive intradermaltesting. Among patients with positive skin testing, 47.7%were positive to PPL, 20.4% to MDM, 50.0% to PG and40.9% to ampicillin; 13.6% of patients were positive toamoxicillin by skin prick test. One patient had positiveRAST and one had a positive challenge test.ConclusionPenicillin allergy is a common problem with an incidenceof about one third in our cohort.
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