Drug Provocation Tests
The children underwent drug provocation tests (DPT) in case of mild or moderate index HSRs if the initial SPT and IDT revealed negative results. The patients were directly provoked with the culprit medication when there was no parenteral form of the drug proper for SPT/IDT (e.g.,NSAIDs) or there were no standard ST protocols established (e.g. clarithromycin) (16). Oral form of the drug was preferred for DPT and the doses and intervals were determined according to the established protocols (17). The patient was administered the age- and weight-adjusted total daily dose in four or five divided doses (14, 17). The positive DPT was defined as the development of any objective physical finding of a HSR concerning cutaneous (urticaria, maculopapular rash, flushing which occurred during the DPT or within 48 hrs), respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular system (13, 14). For non-immediate reactions, one day protocol was performed to protect patients from longer exposure to antimicrobials.