Rush Immunotherapy Using Ifn-Gamma for Cefazoline Allergy

Abstract

Geunwoong Noh, Bum Soo Kim and Chang Won Ha

Cefazolin is a first generation cephalosporin widely used for preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Although cefazolin hypersensitivity constitutes a potential life-threatening condition with serious consequences, correct diagnosis of cefazolin hypersensitivity is not straightforward for various reasons. A graded challenge is perhaps the most reliable in vivo test for the diagnosis of cefazolin allergy. Desensitization is performed by the cautious administration of incremental doses of the drug to the patient. In the case of intravenous drug, the challenge and desensitization has been regarded as extremely dangerous. IFN-gamma has allergen-specific tolerogenic effects, together with the administration of allergens. Moreover, IFN-gamma was introduced for desensitization for aspirin and cefaclor. In this case report, two cases were described concerning challenge test and desensitization for anaphylactic drug allergy for intravenous cefazolin using IFN-gamma.

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