Retrospective stratification of cephalosporin allergy label risk using validated penicillin allergy frameworks

Abstract

Approximately 1% to 2% of the general population reports cephalosporin allergy labels (CALs).1 Like penicillin allergy labels (PALs), CALs limit delivery of care because cephalosporins are considered first-line antibiotics for many infections.2 About 8% of CALs correlate with positive testing results suggesting true allergy; cefazolin and ceftriaxone are the most common culprit drugs associated with positive testing result.1 Stone et al1 described testing strategies for evaluating cephalosporin allergies, in particular, the importance of structural similarities in R side chains and time since the index reaction.