Diagnosing immediate reactions to cephalosporins.

Background: After penicillins, cephalosporins are the betalactams that most often induce IgE-mediated reactions. The development of diagnostic tests has been delayed, however, because the cephalosporin allergenic determinants have not been properly identified.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of skin tests, serum specific IgE assays, and challenges in diagnosing immediate reactions to cephalosporins and to clarify the pathogenic mechanism of such reactions.

The increased histamine release in ischaemic heart disease patients undergoing coronaroangiography is not mediated by specific IgE.

Background: The release of histamine by iodinated contrast media (ICM) is higher in coronary artery disease patients than in noncoronary patients during coronary angiogram.

Methods: Eighty-eight patients who underwent a coronary angiography were classified either as having coronary artery disease or as noncoronary patients. Histamine concentration was higher than the 6.