Allergic reactions to cephalosporin antibiotics in a 15-year-old population

Kanita Perić Kanita Perić

doi:10.30574/wjarr.2021.12.3.0689

Abstract

Cephalosporin, along with penicillin, are among the least harmful antibiotics. It is widely prescribed for common infections such as bronchitis, otitis media, pneumonia and cellulitis. A contraindication for this agent is a history of penicillin allergy, due to possible cross-reactions of hypersensitivity to penicillin and cephalosporin. Hypersensitivity reactions can occur in any mode of administration and to almost all antibiotics. Hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporin are very similar to those of penicillin. The purpose of the study was to determine whether exist reactions to cephalosporin in the study population, and to determine whether exist statistically significant differences in the occurrence of allergic reactions to cephalosporin between boys and girls of the same age and whether exist differences in the occurrence of allergic reactions between subjects in urban and rural areas. The sample consisted of 1605 respondents, the sample was randomly selected and stratified by sex, and all data were processed in the statistical program. The results of the research show that 9.1% of the total population of boys and girls aged 15 from the Tuzla Canton are allergic to some type of antibiotic. The percentage of allergic reactions to cephalosporin is statistically significantly higher in the total population of 15 - year - olds from suburban and urban settlements than among peers in rural areas. Allergic reactions to cephalosporin were not observed in the group of boys from urban and suburban settlements as well as girls from rural settlements. This research also showed that there are statistically significant differences in the occurrence of cephalosporin allergies between urban and rural respondents.

Highlights

Cephalosporin are a group of beta-lactam antibiotics
This paper aimed to find out whether there are significant differences in the occurrence of allergic reactions to cephalosporin between boys and girls, as well as whether there are statistically significant differences between urban and rural populations
Cephalosporin allergies are more present in the female than in the male population

Summary

Introduction

Cephalosporin are a group of beta-lactam antibiotics. Cephalosporin differ from penicillin only in better penetration through the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria [1]. They are usually used as a substitute for penicillin in the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, and in prophylaxis in surgical procedures [2]. It should be noted that cephalosporin (along with penicillin) are among the least harmful antibiotics. The hypersensitivity reaction is very similar to which occurs with penicillin (skin rash, serum sickness, Stephen Johnson syndrome and anaphylaxis). 10% of individuals sensitive to penicillin have an allergic reaction to cephalosporin. Diarrhea may occur with cephalosporin for oral administration

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Conclusion