Clinical features of bee venom anaphylaxis.
- Author:
Sung Gyun AHN
;
Sun Sin KIM
;
Hee Yeon KIM
;
Dong Ho NAHM
;
Hae Sim PARK
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Bee venom anaphylaxis;
ant anaphylaxis;
cross-reactivity
- MeSH:
Anaphylaxis*;
Ant Venoms;
Ants;
Asthma;
Bee Venoms*;
Bees*;
Bites and Stings;
Female;
Fires;
Gyeonggi-do;
Honey;
Humans;
Immunoglobulin E;
Immunotherapy;
Korea;
Radioimmunoassay;
Rhinitis;
Skin;
Urticaria;
Wasps
- From:Journal of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology
1999;19(3):492-497
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Background and OBJECTIVE: There has been a few case reports of anaphylaxis due to honeybee in Korea. In order to observe the clinical feature of bee sting anaphylaxis. Moderials and methods: Six patients living in Kyunggi province area were referred under history of anaphylaxis after the bee sting. Atopy was defined by skin prick test result to common inhalant allergen. Serum specific IgE antibody to each bee antigen was detected by radioimmunoassay to identify the causative bee. RESULTS: All six cases were female. Three had atopy and four had combined allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and urticaria. The etiologic bees consisted of yellow jacket (6 cases), paper wasp (4 cases), yellow hornet (3 cases), white faced hornet (1 case) and honey bee (1 case). Four cases had experienced anaphylaxis after ant bite and they showed positive result on specific IgE to imported fire ant. Specific immunotherapy against causative bee venom was begun using bee venom extracts from Bayer (USA) based upon results of specific IgE anti-body to bee venom. CONCLUSION: The yellow jacket is the most common cause of bee venom anaphylaxis in this area. Further studies will be needed to evaluate possible cross-reactivity between bee and ant venom.
