Paper III (1) in this series describes several tests which were found to be useful in determining whether a given compound is utilized by the mold in penicillin formation. To provide proof of the incorporation of various acyl groups into the penicillin molecule and to be able to determine the chemical characteristics and biological properties of the various penicillins, isolation and crystalliz...

BACKGROUND Data on outpatient penicillin use in Europe were collected from 25 countries within the ESAC project, funded by DG SANCO of the European Commission, using the WHO ATC/DDD methodology. METHODS For the period 1997-2003, data on outpatient use of systemic penicillins aggregated at the level of the active substance were collected and expressed in DDD (WHO, version 2004) per 1000 inhabi...

Antigenic components of penicillins — In order to understand the possible cross reactivity among penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems and monobactams, it is helpful to review the potential allergens in penicillins. Patients with IgE-mediated allergy to penicillins may be reactive to the beta-lactam ring structure that is common to all penicillins, or to the R-group side chains that distingu...

Penicillins and cephalosporins are the most important betalactams inducing IgE-mediated reactions. The safety of administering cephalosporins to penicillin-allergic children is a particular problem, because cephalosporin allergenic determinants have not been properly identified. A study was undertaken to evaluate the frequency of anaphylactic reactions to cephalosporins and penicillins and thei...

Penicillins are among the most frequently prescribed drugs, and the 15 different members are marketed in many forms and combinations. I will try to place the use of both the older ones and also the more recent additions. In both clinical usage and antibacterial activity there are four main divisions of the penicillin family-benzylpenicillin (and other closely related antibiotics), the penicilli...