HKU researchers note penicillin allergy is often misdiagnosed
發佈日期: 2025-08-20 20:27
TVB News
A study by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong found that some 90 percent patients were misdiagnosed to be allergic to penicillin, and were switched to use less effective antibiotics. And that has increased their infection risks after surgery.
A team from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong analysed data from more than 4,700 total knee replacement surgeries at Queen Mary Hospital from 1993 to 2021. It found that more than 160 people were diagnosed to be allergic to penicillin.
About 3 percent of patients were infected during surgery, -- five times higher than that of patients who were injected with penicillin.
The team reviewed 11 patients in the past who were allegedly allergic to penicillin and eventually developed postoperative infections. None of them were in fact allergic.
With that, HKU recommends that patients undergo drug allergy assessment before the operation.
