ABSTRACT
Erythromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic drug produced by a strain of Saccharopolyspora erythraea and belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics. Erythromycin may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal in action, depending on the concentration of the drug at the site of infection and the susceptibility of the organism involved. Formerly, it was thought that erythromycin (at least as erythromycin base) is non-sensitizing. In Leuven, Belgium, in the period 1990-2014, erythromycin 5% pet. was patch tested in 194 patients suspected of iatrogenic contact dermatitis and there were 5 positive reactions to it. Cutaneous adverse drug reactions from systemic administration of erythromycin caused by type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity, including fixed drug eruption, systemic contact dermatitis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis and toxic epidermal necrolysis, are planned to be discussed in Volume IV of the Monographs in Contact Allergy series on Systemic drugs.
