Evidence for familial aggregation of immunologic drug reactions

Abstract

Immunologic drug reactions (IDRs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality.1,2 There is some evidence that IDRs aggregate in families. One study of the children of parents who are allergic to an antibiotic by history found a 15-fold relative risk for histories of reactions to antibiotics in these children relative to controls without a positive family history of antibiotic allergy.3 Drug-induced immune nephropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with gold or penicillamine has been associated with the HLA-DR3 phenotype.