ESCMID clinical guidelines on the evaluation and management of a reported antibiotic allergy

Abstract

Scope Antibiotic allergies remain one of the most frequently documented drug allergies in clinical records. It is well established that only a small proportion—estimated at 5% to 10%—represents true immune-mediated hypersensitivity. Mislabelling can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance via prescription of suboptimal antimicrobial therapy (i.e. unnecessary avoidance of first-line antibiotics), increased use of broad-spectrum agents, and complications such as drug toxicity. This guideline, developed by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, provides evidence-based recommendations for the clinical evaluation and management of patients with re..