An immunologic study of selected penicillin reactions involving the skin

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Abstract
Immunologic features of penicillin sensitivity in patients with the 4 major forms of clinical allergic reactions to penicillin and in appropriate control subjects were studied. The clearest picture in terms of mechanism is available for the immediate (including ana-phylactic) and serum sickness types of reactions. Both of these appear to be mediated by circulating skin-sensitizing antibodies. Among the delayed clinical reactions, maculopapular eruptions in some instances are associated with delayed skin test reactions to penicillin. The evidence suggesting a possible mitigating effect of circulating IgG antibodies in delayed penicillin sensitivity and the occurrence of desensitization following exposure to a large dose of penicillin indicates that the mechanism in these reactions is complex.

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