Penicillin-sensitivity reactions in Taiwan.

In view of the increasing interest being shown throughout the world in untoward reactions following penicillin administration, a detailed study has been made of such reactions in Taiwan between October 1951 and May 1955. During this period, 106 reactions were recorded, of which 74 were anaphylactic (12 fatal, 19 severe and 43 less severe) and 32 were urticarial.The authors point out that the consumption of penicillin is very heavy in Taiwan, which can be considered "a potentially penicillin-sensitized country". The great majority of anaphylactic cases for which information is available are known to have received penicillin before the injection which caused the reaction, and only one of those who died (a 7-month-old boy) is known not to have had the drug before. All those in the urticarial group for whom there is information reacted within 24 hours of receiving penicillin. The authors conclude that, since this is too short a time for the production of antibodies, the persons concerned were already sensitized by previous penicillin treatment.