Compositions for testing to predict and/or diagnose allergy to penicillins

摘要

The invention relates to the testing of humans or other animals, such as horses, cattle or dogs, for allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to penicillins. The tests can be used both to predict and to diagnose allergy. The invention comprises new materials for use in minor determinant mixture (MDM) compositions and lyophilized, storage- stable MDM compositions and novel test methods employing such materials. P PThe new MDM materials are N-penicilloyl amines of an aliphatic amine or &agr;-aminoacid having the following molecular structure: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 =a side chain which defines the type of penicillin--e.g., where R.sub.1 = ##STR2## the new material is a derivative of benzylpenicillin; and R.sub.2 is an alkyl group of C.sub.2 - C.sub.6 length, preferably ethyl or propyl, or an aminoacid residue as described herein.PPThe tests are preferably carried out by applying solutions of the materials to the skin of the patient or other test animal and pricking or scratching the skin, or by injecting the materials intradermally, and then observing for wheal and flare reactions. The preferred test method comprises a two-solution test using a solution of the novel PPL preparations described in my copending U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 898,044 applied on or into one area of the patient's skin and a separate solution containing the new minor determinant material alone or as part of an MDM solution with other constituents applied on or into another area of the patient's skin.