(03/08)
JS

Currently, a diagnosis of bee or wasp sting allergy depends on a combination of history, skin testing, and blood testing for venom-specific IgE but not for total IgE. A study evaluated 150 patients for systemic reactions to insect stings. Specific as well as total IgE were assessed at 12 weeks following the initial sting.
Fifteen percent of the patients experienced grade one anaphylaxis; 49% experienced grade two anaphylaxis; and 36% of patients experienced grade three anaphylaxis. Yellow jacket, wasp, and hornet accounted for 73% of the stings, whereas honeybee accounted for 27%.
The study authors concluded that there was an inverse correlation between the severity of the sting-induced anaphylaxis and total IgE and that a measurement total IgE would provide a useful in determining potential risk.
Although it has been well established that venom immunotherapy is
the treatment of choice for adults with systemic anaphylaxis to venom, many patients rely on the use of an EpiPen as their only therapy.
However a new study found that 92% of patients who received venom immunotherapy were extremely positive about their treatment; 85% of them would choose venom immunotherapy again.
Only 48% of patients who only used Epipens found the treatment ‘extremely positive’, 68% preferring to change to venom immunotherapy. Most patients found that carrying an EpiPen was reassuring but was inconvenient; a full 20% would not use an EpiPen, even if required!
(Sturm GJ, Heinemann A, Schuster C, et al. Allergy. 2007;62:884-889)

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