Dermatitis From Penicillin

Toxic Reactions Accompanying Penicillin Therapy

“…Patch tests have elicited positive reac¬ tions to commercial penicillin 21 and to crystalline peni¬ cillin.21- '1 Sensitivity to penicillin may be manifested as immedi¬ ate reactions and delayed reactions.15" The immediate reactions usually occur in persons with a known history of penicillin sensitivity or at least previous exposure to penicillin, although a small percentage of the population is primarily or spontaneously-sensitive to penicillin.22 It is doubtful if natural, inherited sensitivity, without previous exposure, exists, because contact may have been intrauterine or the patient may possess a general sensitivity to molds. 23 Herrell, Nichols and Heilman 7b and others2i have demonstrated the transmission of penicillin through the placenta from the maternal to the fetal circulation. Jadassohn, Schaaf and Wohler,23 working with trichophytins, by the Schultz-Dale technic, concluded that fungi have a common antigenic factor in addition to antigenic factors peculiar to each species.…”

Allergy, Antibiotics and Chemotherapeutics

“…In addition to this hypersensitiveness, provoked by its therapeutical application, this antibiotic may provoke allergy in those individuals who, due to their occupations, must handle it (physicians, chemists, nurses, workmen) (18,35,139,267,312,360).…”