Alergia à penicilina: aspectos atuais

Penicillin allergy: current aspects

Abstract

Objective: To review the main immuno-pathological mechanisms and present a practical approach to the diagnosis and
treatment of penicillin allergies. Methods: non-systematic review of original articles and reviews indexed in the MEDLINE
and LILACS databases, in addition to classical texts on this subject. The descriptors used were: drug hypersensitivity, anti
bacterial agents, penicillin, rheumatic fever and adolescents. Results: Penicillin is widely used in clinical practice, with
an incidence of allergic reactions estimated at 2% per course of treatment. However, the general perception of allergy
to this medicine is between 10% and 15%. Its importance must be stressed for preventing rheumatic fever and treating
congenital syphilis, which are diseases still quite prevalent in Brazil, constituting major public health problems. Penicillin can
cause reactions through all the immunological mechanisms described by Gell & Coombs. In addition to clinical history, in
vivo and in vitro diagnostic tests are useful for exploring suspected cases of allergy to this drug. Conclusion: Many people
are wrongly labeled as allergic to penicillin. Using the tools available for correct diagnosis will allow the safe use of this
medication of high effi cacy and low cost.