A case of bronchial asthma due to cefadroxil in a housewife

Abstract

Cephalosporins are the most important β-lactams that induce IgE-mediated reactions. Also, cephalosporins have been known as a causative agent for occupational asthma in pharmaceutical workers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cephalosporin-induced bronchial asthma in a housewife with no history of occupational exposure. We experienced a 30-year old female who had developed shortness of breath, coughing and itching sensation of the skin since 3 years ago whenever she handled drug powder for upper respiratory infections (URI) prescribed for her two sons with bronchial asthma. She had handled drug powder for 7 years because her sons had experienced frequent URI. Skin prick test with cefadroxil (10 ㎎/㎖) and cefaclor (10 ㎎/㎖) showed positive reactions. Bronchial challenge test with cefadroxil showed immediate asthmatic reaction, and bronchial challenge with cefaclor showed immediate urticaria and angioedema without significant fall in FEV1. We confirmed cefadroxil-induced bronchial asthma sensitized by intermittent inhalation in a non-occupational setting.