Management of group B Streptococcus in pregnant women with penicillin allergy
To determine whether group B Streptococcus (GBS)-colonized pregnant women who report a history of penicillin allergy can safely undergo diagnostic evaluation to rule out or confirm the potential for an IgE-mediated (allergic) reaction to penicillin. Over 18 months, all pregnant women with GBS-positi...
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Published in | Journal of reproductive medicine Vol. 52; no. 6; p. 480 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
01.06.2007
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get more information |
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Summary: | To determine whether group B Streptococcus (GBS)-colonized pregnant women who report a history of penicillin allergy can safely undergo diagnostic evaluation to rule out or confirm the potential for an IgE-mediated (allergic) reaction to penicillin.
Over 18 months, all pregnant women with GBS-positive vaginal/rectal cultures and a history of penicillin allergy were referred to the Department of Allergy and Immunology for a history and possible skin testing. Patients who had experienced anaphylaxis were advised to continue avoiding penicillin and were not skin tested. Women without such a history underwent immediate hypersensitivity (percutaneous and intradermal) testing using 2 penicillin reagents with controls. If skin testing was negative, intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis with intravenous penicillin was administered.
Of 28 patients with both GBS colonization and "penicillin allergy," 25 (89%) had negative skin testing to penicillin and received intrapartum penicillin for GBS prophylaxis without adverse reactions. Skin testing was positive in 2 patients, and intrapartum penicillin was not administered. Penicillin skin testing was not performed on 1 patient due to a history of anaphylaxis from penicillin.
These results indicate that most pregnant women reporting penicillin allergy undergo negative skin tests and are able to safely receive intrapartum penicillin GBS prophylaxis. |
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ISSN: | 0024-7758 |