Eight cases of quinolone allergy

Quinolone allergy is considered to be rare, but is probably underestimated. 8 cases of allergy to fluoroquinolones are reported: 3 to apurone, 2 to ofloxacin, 1 to lomefloxacin, 1 to ciprofloxacin and 1 to sparfloxacin. Clinical manifestations, occurring 5 to 30 min after drug administration, were severe in every case: serious anaphylactic shock in 2 cases, generalized urticaria and/or angioneurotic oedema in all other cases with dyspnoea and development of malaise in 2 cases. A favourable course was observed in every case in response to treatment, but 3 patients had to be admitted to the intensive care unit. Previous administration of quinolones was known in 6 cases. Skin tests appear to have a poor diagnostic value and a reliable specific IgE assay would be useful.