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clinical investigations in critical care: Mercedes E. Arroliga, William Wagner, Mary Beth Bobek, Lori Hoffman-Hogg, Steven M. Gordon, and Alejandro C. Arroliga A Pilot Study of Penicillin Skin Testing in Patients With a History of Penicillin Allergy Admitted to a Medical ICU Chest 2000; 118: 1106-1108 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Jim Spratt   (2 November 2000)

Untitled 2 November 2000
Jim Spratt, Pharmacology Professor Emeritus U. Iowa Send letter to journal: Re: this article james-spratt{at}uiowa.edu Jim Spratt	It is unfortunate that the title was not stated as "...With a Patient -reported History of an Allergic Reaction to a Preparation Containing a Penicillin ..." This is especially true since the youngest patient was 64 years old and all were therefore susceptible to the early contaminant question before the introduction of HPLC. Additionally, did any have the exematous reactions of ampicillin/amoxacillin? Please ask Dr. Arroglia to supply me with evidence in patients under 20 for his statement, "In addition, it is important to remember that patients with allergy tend to lose their sensitivity to penicillin over time." on page D8 of the NY Times dated October 31, 2000. Unless you follow up on that Times coverage (and who knows where else), I'm afraid that some very unfortunate unintended consequences could ensue. Jim Spratt, M.D., Ph.D.