Relevance of the determination of serum‐specific IgE antibodies in the diagnosis of immediate <i>β</i>‐lactam allergy

Abstract

These results indicate that, although the specificity of beta-lactam-specific IgE measurement is good, sensitivity is low. Immunoglobulin E measurement should be limited to patients with a clinical history of anaphylactic shock and negative skin tests in order to avoid a drug provocation test. More sensitive assays should be developed.