Drug provocation tests: Up-date and novel approaches

Abstract

Drug provocation tests (DPTs) are often needed when evaluating patients with suspected drug hypersensitivity reactions. General considerations on DPTs, with regard to indications, contraindications, methods, limitations and interpretations have been thoroughly addressed and various protocols are published. However, the field of drug allergy is changing and DPTs make no exception. Novel (or sometimes, simply renewed) approaches arise, awaiting to be either validated or refuted in larger studies in the future. Instead of covering the whole topic of DPTs, this paper will address these recent and challenging aspects. © 2013 Chiriac and Demoly; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.