Experimental Aspects of Penicillin Sensitization, with Special Reference to Conjoint Sensitization to Superficial Fungous Disease

Abstract

In a previous communication (1), reference was made to various types of clinical reactions occurring in man as a result of penicillin therapy. Three types of reactions in particular raised the question of a possible relationship between sensitization to penicillin and pre-existing fungus diseases. These three reaction-types were (1) erythematovesicular eruptions which tended to localize in areas involved by a previous superficial fungus disease (2) Vesicular eruptions of the hands in patients who had had a previous dermatophytid in the same area or a severe dermatophytosis of the feet, groins or trunk and (3) Acute reactions characterized by symptoms of mild shock and occurring in patients who previously had not received penicillin therapy but who had active fungus disease or a history of such disease. Accordingly, it was deemed important to make further studies on the nature of penicillin sensitivity as it exists in man, to create if possible a penicillin-sensitive state in the guinea pig, and to study the nature of this reactivity per se and its possible relationship to conjoint sensitization to superficial fungus disease.