A World Allergy Organization International Survey on Diagnostic Procedures and Therapies in Drug Allergy/Hypersensitivity

Bernard Yu-Hor Thong, MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin); Rita Mirakian, MD; Mariana Castells, MD, PhD; Werner Pichler, MD; Antonino Romano, MD; Patrizia Bonadonna, MD; Deleanu Diana, MD; Marek Kowalski, MD; Anahi Yanez, MD; Ramon Lleonart, MD; Mario Sanchez-Borges, MD; Pascal Demoly, MD

World Allergy Organization Journal (Jan 2011)

A World Allergy Organization International Survey on Diagnostic Procedures and Therapies in Drug Allergy/Hypersensitivity

Bernard Yu-Hor Thong, MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin),
Rita Mirakian, MD,
Mariana Castells, MD, PhD,
Werner Pichler, MD,
Antonino Romano, MD,
Patrizia Bonadonna, MD,
Deleanu Diana, MD,
Marek Kowalski, MD,
Anahi Yanez, MD,
Ramon Lleonart, MD,
Mario Sanchez-Borges, MD,
Pascal Demoly, MD

Affiliations

Bernard Yu-Hor Thong, MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin): Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore; Corresponding author.
Rita Mirakian, MD: Cambridge University, NHS Foundation Trust, Allergy Clinic, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Mariana Castells, MD, PhD: Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Werner Pichler, MD: Division of Allergology, Department of Rheumatology and Allergology/Clinical Immunology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Antonino Romano, MD: Allergy Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Rome and IRCCS Oasi Maria S.S., Troina, Italy
Patrizia Bonadonna, MD: Allergy Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
Deleanu Diana, MD: Department of Allergy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Marek Kowalski, MD: Department of Clinical Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
Anahi Yanez, MD: Servicio de Alergiae Inmunología Clínica, Hospital Aeronáutico Central, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ramon Lleonart, MD: Allergy Unit, Hospital Universitari Bellvitge Feixa Llarga sn l’Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
Mario Sanchez-Borges, MD: Clinica El Avila, Caracas, Venezuela
Pascal Demoly, MD: Clinical Department of Allergology, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 4, no. 12
pp. 257 – 270

Abstract

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Objective To study the diagnostic and treatment modalities used in drug allergy/hypersensitivity among members of the World Allergy Organization (WAO).Methods A questionnaire comprising 39 questions was circulated electronically to member societies, associate member societies, and regional and affiliate organizations of WAO between June 29, 2009, and August 9, 2009.Results Eighty-two responses were received. Skin testing was used by 74.7%, with only 71.4% having access to penicillin skin test reagents. In vitro-specific IgE tests were used by 67.4%, and basophil activation test was used by 54.4%. Lymphocyte transformation tests were used by 36.8% and patch tests by 54.7%. Drug provocation tests were used by 68.4%, the most common indication being to exclude hypersensitivity where history/symptoms were not suggestive of drug hypersensitivity/allergy (76.9%). Rapid desensitization for chemotherapy, antibiotics, or biologic agents was used by 69.6%. Systemic corticosteroid was used in the treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome by 72.3%, and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins in toxic epidermal necrolysis by 50.8%. Human leukocyte antigen screening before prescription of abacavir was used by 92.9% and before prescription of carbamazepine by 21.4%.Conclusions Results of this survey form a useful framework for developing educational and training needs and for improving access to drug allergy diagnostic and treatment modalities across WAO member societies. Keywords: desensitization, drug allergy, hypersensitivity, skin tests

Published in World Allergy Organization Journal

ISSN: 1939-4551 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/world-allergy-organization-journal

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