Better tests for cephalosporin (a common antibiotic) allergy
Official title: Optimizing the diagnostic approach to cephalosporin allergy testing (DACAT Trial)
Funded at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-11372125 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tries new ways to tell whether someone who says they're allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics truly has a risky allergy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,832,926 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI184071-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372125 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with a history or report of suspected cephalosporin allergy, including those with prior immediate reactions or perioperative allergic events, are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without any history of cephalosporin reactions or those who cannot safely undergo skin testing or supervised drug challenge (for example due to unstable heart disease or uncontrolled asthma) may not benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
If you report a cephalosporin allergy, you may be offered skin testing with the actual cephalosporin drugs and carefully supervised drug challenges to see if you react. The researchers will compare different skin test approaches, look for immune markers like IgE, and analyze patterns of reactions to learn how cephalosporin allergy works. They will also study whether reactions cross-react with other beta-lactam antibiotics so doctors know when alternative antibiotics are safe. All procedures are done in clinic under close medical supervision at participating sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors more accurately confirm or rule out cephalosporin allergy so patients can safely receive the best antibiotic when needed.
How similar studies have gone: Validated skin testing followed by challenge reliably rules out penicillin allergy, but applying similar methods to cephalosporins is less proven and the biology remains relatively untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blumenthal, Kimberly G. — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Blumenthal, Kimberly G.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.