About Us
Our Mission
Currently there exists no centralized database containing published, non-irritating concentrations of drugs used for skin testing to assess drug allergy. Allergists often need to search the existing literature for these concentrations and may have difficulty accessing the articles as most do not have open access. This task can also be time consuming in a busy clinic, especially when there are multiple medications to be looked up. Therefore, the creation of an online database consolidating these known drug concentrations would enable physicians to access the required information readily, effectively, and efficiently.
In response to this, we have developed an online database that compiles non-irritating drug concentrations suitable for skin testing from peer-reviewed papers. The database also includes references for published desensitization protocols, patch testing concentrations used for delayed hypersensitivities, and information on cross-reactivity between drugs. Recognizing the dynamic nature of our field, and the fact that our database may not capture all the available drug allergy knowledge, we welcome any information submissions that can help expand our database further and grow the drug allergy community.
This database operates on a not-for-profit basis, designed with the primary intention to serve allergists by offering evidence-based information related to drug allergy testing.
Meet The Team
Dr. Erika Lee works as an allergist/immunologist at the Drug Allergy Clinic at Sunnybrook Hospital and the Transplant Allergy Clinic at Toronto General Hospital. She completed her Internal Medicine residency, followed by subspecialty training in Clinical Immunology and Allergy at the University of Toronto. In addition, she did a dermatology fellowship in type 2 inflammatory skin diseases. Dr. Lee holds a master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology. Her primary research interest is drug allergy, including both immediate and delayed drug hypersensitivity reactions.
Dr. Christopher Knox is a PGY2 resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Toronto. He completed medical school at the University of Toronto and has an Honours Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Immunology and Pharmacology. Chris received the prestigious 2021 and 2022 CSACI Summer Studentships which provided him the opportunity to create this database and website as part of his project, titled “Drug-induced anaphylaxis assessment: creating an online database of non-irritating drug concentrations for allergy skin testing.” He is striving to pursue a career in Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
Sinthiha Krishnan is currently in her third year of medical school at the University of Toronto. Prior to medical school, she completed her undergraduate degree in Life Sciences at McMaster University. Her research interests centre around clinical allergy and immunology, with a particular focus on atopic dermatitis, as well as drug allergy protocols and management in diverse healthcare settings.
People who have worked on this project:
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Erika Lee (2021 to ongoing)
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Chris Knox (2021 to ongoing)​
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Sinthiha Krishnan (2022 summer)
Acknowledgement:
We would also like to give a special thanks to our faculty advisory committee: Dr. Stephen Betschel, Dr. Elizabeth Phillips, Dr. Christine Song, and Dr. Peter Vadas for their incredible support with this project.