The predictive value of intradermal testing with penicillin antigens in penicillin - sensitive and non-sensitive patients

ABSTRACT

A study of the predictive value of several penicillin antigens (Benzylpenicillin, penicilloyl-polylysine and penicilloyl - aminocaproate) and related antigens (Penicillium and Cephaloridin) was conducted in nineteen penicillin-sensitive patients and ten non-sensitive subjects or control. There was no decided difference between the skin test reactions of the penicillin-sensitive and the non-sensitive groups noted. Neither was there an antigen or antigens which gave a significant reaction when compared with the buffer control solution reaction. In view of the above findings, it is difficult to interpret results of skin testing using available penicillin antigens. A skin test which are either positive or negative seems unreliable as a basis to determine the penicillin sensitivity of a person. The authors feel that current practitioners who can not avail themselves of other immunological test must interpret skin test only in conjunction with the patients allergy background.(summary)