Discrepancies in Beta-Lactam Antibiotics Cross-Reactivity: Implications for Clinical Practice.

Background: In patients with a beta-lactam antibiotic (BA) allergy label, avoidance of the whole group of BAs leads to displacement of first-line therapies potentially influencing patient outcomes and antimicrobial resistance. Studies previously published on BA cross-reactivity use different sets of BA and seem to contain conflicting recommendations on safe BA alternatives in case of (suspected) BA allergy.

Methods: The objectives were (i) to identify discrepancies between studies regarding cross-allergy in BA and (ii) to identify research gaps.

The Who, What, When, and Where of Inpatient Direct Oral Penicillin Challenge-Implications for Health Services Implementation.

Inpatient direct oral challenge programs are increasingly deployed as part of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives to reduce the burden and impacts of penicillin allergy labels on antibiotic prescribing. Using data from a prospective, multicenter cohort inpatient penicillin allergy program, we identify the key targets for delabeling to aid health service implementation.

A Survey on Knowledge Gaps in Assessment and Management of Severe Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions: Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Health Care Providers.

Severe drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are often encountered by health care professionals (HCPs). We evaluated knowledge of doctors and pharmacists in the assessment and management of severe DHRs using a structured questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 metropolitan hospital networks in Melbourne, Australia.

Adverse Drug Reactions Reported by Healthcare Professionals: Reaction Characteristics and Time to Reporting.

We describe adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting characteristics and factors contributing to length of time to report by healthcare professionals. This is a retrospective study of voluntary reports to an Australian healthcare ADR Review Committee over a 2-year period (2015-2016). Descriptive and univariate models were used for outcomes, employing standardized ADR definitions.

Testicular loss following bacterial epididymo-orchitis: Case report and literature review.

Epididymo-orchitis rarely leads to abscess formation and global testicular infarction/loss, particularly in the setting of appropriate antibiotic therapy. The imaging modality used when monitoring for testicular ischemia is ultrasonography. However, as described in the literature, testicular pathology may not be evident on routine imaging.