Scientific publications

Management of patients with suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy. Executive summary of guidance from the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), the Spanish Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC), the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH) and the Spanish Society of Intensive Medicine and Coronary Care Units (SEMICYUC). Scientific Publication

Mar 1, 2023 | Magazine: Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica

José Ramón Paño-Pardo  1 , Esther Moreno Rodilla  2 , Sara Cobo Sacristan  3 , José Luis Cubero Saldaña  4 , Leonor Periañez Párraga  5 , José Luis Del Pozo León  6 , Pilar Retamar Genti  7 , Alejandro Rodríguez Oviedo  8 , María José Torres Jaén  9 , Pablo Vidal-Cortes  10 , Carlos Colás Sanz  4


Abstract

Suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy is a frequently encountered clinical circumstance that influences antimicrobial prescribing and often leads to the avoidable use of less efficacious and/or more toxic or costly drugs than first-line antimicrobials.

Optimizing antimicrobial therapy in patients with antibiotic allergy labels has become one of the priorities of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) in several countries.

This guidance document aims to make recommendations for the systematic approach to patients with suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy based on current evidence. A panel of eleven members of involved Scientific Societies with expertise in the management of patients with suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy formulated questions about the management of patients with suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy. A systematic literature review was performed by a medical librarian.

The questions were distributed among panel members who selected the most relevant references, summarized the evidence and formulated graded recommendations when possible. The answers to all questions were finally reviewed by all panel members. A systematic approach to patients with suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy is recommended to improve antibiotic selection and, consequently clinical outcomes. A clinically oriented, 3-category risk-stratification strategy was recommended for patients with suspected antibiotic allergy.

Complementary assessments should consider both clinical risk category and preferred antibiotic agent. Empirical therapy recommendations for the most relevant clinical syndromes in patients with suspected or confirmed β-lactam allergy were formulated.

Recommendations on the implementation and monitoring of the impact of the guidelines were formulated. ASP and allergists should design and implement activities that facilitate the most adequate antibiotic use in these patients.

CITATION Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed). 2023 Mar;41(3):181-186. doi: 10.1016/j.eimce.2022.08.010. Epub 2023 Jan 25