A recent study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston has revealed that syphilis patients who are labeled as allergic to penicillin can safely have this label removed. This finding is significant because about 10% of Americans believe they are allergic to penicillin, yet approximately 90% of them are not truly allergic. Consequently, these individuals often receive alternative antibiotics that may be more toxic, less effective, and more costly.
Dr. Cosby Stone, an allergist and senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of delabeling for syphilis patients. "The number of people with untreated syphilis in the United States is at its highest since the 1950s, and penicillin is the preferred, most effective antibiotic for syphilis," he stated. The study collected data on various factors including demographics, stages of syphilis, results from penicillin allergy testing, use of second-line treatments, healthcare utilization, and outcomes following delabeling.
In their research involving 12 identified patients labeled as allergic to penicillin, all were eventually delabeled. Of these patients, nine received subsequent treatment with penicillin; five achieved clearance while three did not due to reinfection or unknown reasons. The authors recommend that patients diagnosed with syphilis should have their alleged penicillin allergies evaluated promptly to prevent treatment failures and adverse public health impacts.
The ACAAI's mission includes advancing patient care through collaboration among its members who are board-certified allergists-immunologists. The organization encourages those interested in learning more about drug allergies or seeking professional guidance to visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org.
For further details on this topic and related research findings from the ACAAI Scientific Meeting taking place from October 24-28 in Boston, additional resources can be found online.
