L Savic1, L Gurr2, V Kaura3, J Toolan4, J A T Sandoe5, P M Hopkins6, S Savic7. 1. Anaesthetic Department, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK. Electronic address: louise.savic@nhs.net. 2. University of Leeds School of Medicine, Leeds, UK. 3. Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Leeds, UK. 4. Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK. 5. University of Leeds School of Medicine, Leeds, UK; Microbiology Department, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK. 6. Anaesthetic Department, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK; Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Leeds, UK. 7. University of Leeds School of Medicine, Leeds, UK; Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Around 10-15% of the in-patient population carry unsubstantiated 'penicillin allergy' labels, the majority incorrect when tested. These labels are associated with harm from use of broad-spectrum non-penicillin antibiotics. Current testing guidelines incorporate both skin and challenge tests; this is prohibitively expensive and time-consuming to deliver on a large scale. We aimed to establish the feasibility of a rapid access de-labelling pathway for surgical patients, using direct oral challenge. METHODS: 'Penicillin allergic' patients, recruited from a surgical pre-assessment clinic, were risk-stratified using a screening questionnaire. Patients at low risk of true, immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy were offered direct oral challenge using incremental amoxicillin to a total dose of 500 mg. A 3-day course was completed at home. De-labelled patients were followed up to determine antibiotic use in surgery, and attitudes towards de-labelling were explored. RESULTS: Of 219 patients screened, 74 were eligible for inclusion and offered testing. We subsequently tested 56 patients; 55 were de-labelled. None had a serious reaction to the supervised challenge, or thereafter. On follow-up, 17 of 19 patients received appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis during surgery. Only three of 33 de-labelled patients would have been happy for the label to be removed without prior specialist testing. CONCLUSION: Rapid access de-labelling, using direct oral challenge in appropriately risk-stratified patients, can be incorporated into the existing surgical care pathway. This provides immediate and potential long-term benefit for patients. Interest in testing is high among patients, and clinicians appear to follow clinic recommendations. Patients are unlikely to accept removal of their allergy label on the basis of history alone. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: AN17/92982.
BACKGROUND: Around 10-15% of the in-patient population carry unsubstantiated 'penicillinallergy' labels, the majority incorrect when tested. These labels are associated with harm from use of broad-spectrum non-penicillin antibiotics. Current testing guidelines incorporate both skin and challenge tests; this is prohibitively expensive and time-consuming to deliver on a large scale. We aimed to establish the feasibility of a rapid access de-labelling pathway for surgical patients, using direct oral challenge. METHODS: 'Penicillinallergic' patients, recruited from a surgical pre-assessment clinic, were risk-stratified using a screening questionnaire. Patients at low risk of true, immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy were offered direct oral challenge using incremental amoxicillin to a total dose of 500 mg. A 3-day course was completed at home. De-labelled patients were followed up to determine antibiotic use in surgery, and attitudes towards de-labelling were explored. RESULTS: Of 219 patients screened, 74 were eligible for inclusion and offered testing. We subsequently tested 56 patients; 55 were de-labelled. None had a serious reaction to the supervised challenge, or thereafter. On follow-up, 17 of 19 patients received appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis during surgery. Only three of 33 de-labelled patients would have been happy for the label to be removed without prior specialist testing. CONCLUSION: Rapid access de-labelling, using direct oral challenge in appropriately risk-stratified patients, can be incorporated into the existing surgical care pathway. This provides immediate and potential long-term benefit for patients. Interest in testing is high among patients, and clinicians appear to follow clinic recommendations. Patients are unlikely to accept removal of their allergy label on the basis of history alone. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: AN17/92982.
Authors: Rashmeet Bhogal; Abid Hussain; Ariyur Balaji; William H Bermingham; John F Marriott; Mamidipudi T Krishna Journal: Int J Clin Pharm Date: 2021-01-13
Authors: Marta Santillo; Marta Wanat; Mina Davoudianfar; Emily Bongard; Sinisa Savic; Louise Savic; Catherine Porter; Joanne Fielding; Christopher C Butler; Sue Pavitt; Jonathan Sandoe; Sarah Tonkin-Crine Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-10-01 Impact factor: 2.692