ALLERGY TO INSECT STING .3. ALLERGENIC CROSS-REACTIVITY AMONG VESPID VENOMS

[摘要] Recent reports indicated that venoms may be more beneficial than whole body extracts for the diagnosis and treatment of Hymenoptera sensitive patients. These studies were done to determine the cross-reactivity among the vespid venoms. Patients (18) who were anaphylactically sensitive to vespid venoms were studied using in vitro leukocyte histamine release. The results (venom concentration for 50% histamine release) were analyzed by linear regression analysis; there was no allergenic cross-reactivity between any of the venoms, except for a modest association between yellow hornet and white hornet venom. Of the 18 patients studied, 13 were sensitive to 3 or 4 of the venoms tested. The existence of multiple major allergens in the vespid venoms, some of which are cross-reactive is suggested. Since immunotherapy with inappropriate proteins may lead to the development of IgE [immunoglobulin E] and the possibility of clinical sensitivity, and since the majority of patients were not sensitive to all venom preparations, appropriate diagnostic studied should probably be carried out before the institution of therapy.