Skip to main content
Log in

Diagnosis and prevalence of stinging insect allergy

  • Published:
Clinical Reviews in Allergy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  1. Waterhouse AT: Bee sting and anaphylaxis. Lancet ii:946, 1914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Harper DS: Footnotes on Allergy. Uppsala, Sweden, Pharmacia AB, 1980, pp 17–19

    Google Scholar 

  3. Braun LIB: Notes on desensitization of a patient hypersensitive to bee stings. S Afr Med Rec 23:408, 1925

    Google Scholar 

  4. Benson RL, Semenov H: Allergy in its relation to bee sting. J Allergy 1:105, 1930

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Settipane GA, Boyd GR: Prevalence of bee sting allergy in 4991 Boy Scouts. Acta Allergol 25:286, 1970

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Settipane GA, Newstead GJ, Boyd GK: Frequency of Hymenoptera allergy in an atopic and normal population. J Allergy Clin Immunol 50:146, 1972

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Golden DBK, Valentine MD, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: Prevalence of Hymenoptera venom allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 69(Suppl):124, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  8. Loveless MH, Fackler WR: Wasp venom allergy and immunity. Ann Allergy 14:347, 1956

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Arbesman CE, Langlois C, Bronson P, et al: The allergic response to stinging insects. VII. Fractionation of whole body and venom sac extracts of yellow jacket. J Allergy 38:1, 1966

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. O’Connor R, Erickson R: Hymenoptera antigens: An immunologic comparison of venoms, venom sac extracts, and whole insect extracts. Ann Allergy 23:151, 1965

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bernton HS, Brown H: Studies on the Hymenoptera. I. Skin reactions of normal persons to honeybee extract. Allergy 36:315, 1965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Schwartz HJ: Skin sensitivity in insect allergy. JAMA 194:113, 1965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Torsney PJ: Treatment failure: Insect desensitization. J Allergy Clin Immunol 52:303, 1973

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Hunt KJ, Valentine MD, Sobotka AK, et al: Diagnosis of allergy to stinging insects by skin testing with Hymenoptera venoms. Ann Intern Med 85:56, 1976

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lichtenstein LM, Valentine MD, Sobotka AK: A case for venom treatment in anaphylactic sensitivity to Hymenoptera sting. N Engl J Med 290:1223, 1974

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Busse WW, Reed CE, Lichtenstein LM, et al: Immunotherapy in bee sting anaphylaxis. Use of honeybee venom. JAMA 231:1152, 1975

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Hunt KJ, Valentine MD, Sobotka AK, et al: A controlled trial of immunotherapy in insect hypersensitivity. N Engl J Med 299:157, 1978

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Rubenstein HS: Allergists who alarm the public. A problem in medical ethics. JAMA 243:793, 1980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Lichtenstein LM, Kagey-Sobotka A, Golden DBK, et al: Once stung, twice shy. When should insect allergy be treated? JAMA 244:1683, 1980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Barnard JH: Studies of 400 Hymenoptera sting deaths in the United States. J Allergy Clin Immunol 52:259, 1973

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Golden DBK, Langlois J, Valentine MD, et al: Treatment failures with whole body extract therapy of insect sting allergy. JAMA 246:2460, 1981

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Parker JL, Santrach PJ, Dahlberg JE, et al: Evaluation of Hymenoptera sting sensitivity with deliberate insect sting challenges: Inadequacy of present diagnostic methods. J Allergy Clin Immunol 69:200, 1982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Settipane GA, Chafee FH: Natural history of allergy to Hymenoptera. Clin Allergy 9:385, 1979

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Biaauw PJ, Smithuis LOMJ: The evaluation of the common diagnostic methods of hypersensitivity for bee and yellow jacket venom by means of an in-hospital insect sting. J Allergy Clin Immunol 75:556, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  25. Reisman RE, Dvorin DJ, Randolph CC, et al: Stinging insect allergy: Natural history and modification with venom immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 75:735, 1985

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Graft DF, Schuberth KC, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: A prospective study of the natural history of large local reactions following Hymenoptera stings in children. J Pediatr 104:664, 1984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Golden DBK, Johnson K, Addison BI, et al: Evolution of Hymenoptera venom allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 73:189, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  28. Mauriello PM, Barde SH, Georgitis JW, et al: Natural history of large local reactions from stinging insects. J Allergy Clin Immunol 74:494, 1984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Golden DBK, Addison BI, Friedhoff L, et al: Epidemiology of Hymenoptera venom allergy. Prospective observations. J Allergy Clin Immunol 77:142, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  30. Golden DBK, Johnson K, Addison BI, et al: Clinical and immunologic observations in patients who discontinue venom immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 56:435, 1986

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Adkinson NF Jr, Thompson WL, Maddrey WC, et al: Routine use of penicillin skin testing on an inpatient service. N Engl J Med 285:22, 1971

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Levine BB, Zolov DM: Prediction of penicillin allergy by immunologic tests. J Allergy Clin Immunol 43:231, 1969

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Golden DBK, Meyers DA, Valentine MD, et al: Clinical relevance of the venom specific IgG antibody level during immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 69:489, 1982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Yunginger JW, Jones RT, Leiferman KM, et al: Immunological and biochemical studies in beekeepers and their family members. J Allergy Clin Immunol 61:93, 1978

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Stuckey M, Cobain T, Sears M, et al: Bee venom hypersensitivity in Busselton. Lancet ii:41, 1982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Ramirez DA, Summers RJ, Evans R: The diagnosis of Hymenoptera hypersensitivity. Ann Allergy 47:303, 1981

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Green AW, Reisman RE, Arbesman CE: Clinical and immunologic studies of patients with large local reactions following insect stings. J Allergy Clin Immunol 66:186, 1980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Abrecht I, Eichler G, Muller U, et al: On the significance of severe local reactions to Hymenoptera stings. Clin Allergy 10:675, 1980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Hoffman DR: Honeybee venom allergy: Immunological studies of systemic and large local reactions. Ann Allergy 41:278, 1978

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Insect Allergy Committee of the American Academy of Allergy: Insect sting allergy: Cooperative study. JAMA 193:109, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  41. Golden DBK, Lichtenstein LM: Insect sting allergy, in Kaplan AP (ed): Allergy. New York, Churchill Livingston, 1985, pp 507–524

    Google Scholar 

  42. Schuberth KC, Valentine MD, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: An apidemiologic study of insect allergy in children. I. Characteristics of the disease. J Pediatr 100:546, 1982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Parrish HM: Analysis of 460 fatalities from venomous animals in the United States. Am J Med Sci 35:129, 1963

    Google Scholar 

  44. Austen KF: Systemic anaphylaxis in the human being. N Engl J Med 291:661, 1974

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Hoffman DR, Wood CL, Hudson P: Demonstration of IgE and IgG antibodies against venoms in the blood of victims of fatal sting anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 71:193, 1983

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Schwartz HJ, Sutheimer C, Gauerke B, et al: Venom-specific IgE antibodies in postmortem sera from victims of sudden unexpected death. J Allergy Clin Immunol 73:189, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  47. Jones MB, Armitage JO, Stone DB: Self-limited TTP-like syndrome after bee sting. JAMA 242:2212, 1979

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Light WC, Reisman RE, Shimizu M, et al: Unusual reactions following insect stings. Clinical features and immunologic analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 59:391, 1977

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Bousquet J, Huchard G, Michel FB: Toxic reactions induced by Hymenoptera venom. Ann Allergy 52:371, 1984

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Bachman DS, Paulson GW, Mendell JR: Acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy following Hymenoptera stings. JAMA 247:1443, 1982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Schwartz HJ, Lockey RF, Sheffer AL, et al: A multicenter study on skin-test reactivity of human volunteers to venom as compared with whole body Hymenoptera antigens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 67:81, 1981

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Light WC, Reisman RE, Shimizu M, et al: Clinical application of measurements of serum levels of bee venom-specific IgE and IgG. J Allergy Clin Immunol 59:247, 1977

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Santrach PJ, Peterson LG, Yunginger JW: Comparison of diagnostic tests for Hymenoptera sting allergy. Ann Allergy 45:130, 1980

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Sobotka AK, Adkinson NF Jr, Valentine MD, et al: Allergy to insect stings. IV. Diagnosis by radioallergosorbent test (RAST). J Immunol 1212:2477, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  55. Findlay SR, Gillaspy JE, Lord R, et al: Polistes wasp hypersensitivity: Diagnosis by venom-induced release of histaminein vitro. J Allergy Clin Immunol 50:230, 1977

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Sobotka AK, Valentine MD, Benton AW, et al: Allergy to insect stings. I. Diagnosis of IgE-mediated Hymenoptera sensitivity by venom-induced histamine release. J Allergy Clin Immunol 53:170, 1974

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Wypych JI, Reisman RE, Elliott WB, et al: Immunologic and biochemical evaluation of the potency of whole insect body extracts. J Allergy Clin Immunol 63:267, 1979

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Hunt KJ, Sobotka AK, Valentine MD, et al: Sensitization following Hymenoptera whole body extract therapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 61:48, 1978

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Reisman RE, Light WC, Wypych JI, et al: Immunologic studies of the effect of whole body insect extracts in the treatment of stinging insect allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 57:547, 1976

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Bhoola KD, Calle JD, Schachter M: Identification of acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine and a new kinin in hornet venom. J Physiol 159:167, 1961

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Haberman E: Bee and wasp venoms. Science 177:314, 1972

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Jacques R, Schacter M: The presence of histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and a potent slow contracting substance in wasp venom. Br J Pharmacol 9:53, 1954

    Google Scholar 

  63. Owens MD: Insect venoms: Identification of dopamine and noradrenaline in wasp and bee stings. Experienria (Basel) 27:544, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  64. Hoffman DR: Allergens in bee venoms. III. Identification of allergen B of bee venom as an acid phosphatase. J Allergy Clin Immunol 59:364, 1977

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Hoffman DR: Allergens in Hymenoptera venom. V. Identification of some of the enzymes and demonstration of multiple allergens in yellow-jacket venom. Ann Allergy 40:171, 1978

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. King TP, Sobotka AK, Alagon A, et al: Protein allergens of white-faced hornet, yellow hornet and yellow-jacket venoms. Biochemistry 17:5165, 1978

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. King TP, Sobotka AK, Kochoumian L, et al: Allergens of honeybee venom. Arch Biochem Biophys 172:661, 1976

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Sobotka AK, Franklin RM, Adkinson NR Jr, et al: Allergy to insect stings. II. Phospholipase A: The major allergen in honeybee venom. J Allergy Clin Imunol 57:29, 1976

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Hoffman DR: Allergens in Hymenoptera venom. XIII. Isolation and purification of protein components from three species of vespid venoms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 75:599, 1985

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Karpas AB, Baer H, Hooten ML, et al: A high molecular weight allergenic fraction of honeybee venom. J Allergy Clin Immunol 60:155, 1977

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Yunginger JW, Dahlberg ME, Jones RT, et al: Diagnostic and therapeutic importance of individual honeybee venom allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 69:139, 1982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. King TP: Cross-reactivity of purified venom antigens of hornets, yellow jackets and wasps. J Allergy Clin Immunol 71:121, 1983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Lowenstein H, Sobotka AK, Lichtenstein LM: Identification of and immunochemical relationship between individual allergens of vespid venoms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 65:201, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  74. Hoffman DR: Allergens in Hymenoptera venom. VI. Cross reactivity of human IgE antibodies to the three vespid venoms and between vespid and paper wasp venoms. Ann Allergy 46:304, 1981

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Reisman RE, Muller U, Wypych J, et al: Comparison of the allergenicity and antigenicity of yellow jacket and hornet venoms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 69:268, 1982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Reisman RE, Wypych JI, Muller UR, et al: Comparison of the allergenicity and antigenicity of Polistes venom and other vespid venoms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 70:281, 1982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Hoffman DR, Wood CL: Allergens in Hymenoptera venom. XI. Isolation of protein allergens fromVespula maculifrons (yellow jacket) venom. J Allergy Clin Immunol 74:93, 1984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. King TP: Cross-reactivity of purified venom antigens of hornets, yellow jackets, and wasps. J Allergy Clin Immunol 71:121, 1983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Gadde J, Golden DBK, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: Skin test sensitivity to purified vespid venom allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol

  80. Gadde J, Golden DBK, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: Sensitivity to purified vespid venom proteins. J Allergy Clin Immunol 77: , 1986

  81. Reisman RE, Muller UR, Wypych JI, et al: Studies of co-existing honeybee and vespid venom sensitivities. J Allergy Clin Immunol 73:246, 1984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Golden DBK, Valentine MD, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: Cross-reactivity of vespid venoms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 67 (suppl):57, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  83. Thueson DO, Rahr R, Findlay SR, et al: Diagnosis of Polistes hypersensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 63:136, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  84. Benton AW, Morse RA, Stewart JD: Venom collection from honeybees. Science 142:228, 1963

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Lichtenstein LM, Valentine MD, Sobotka AK: Insect allergy: The state of the art. J Allergy Clin Immunol 64:5, 1979

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Clayton WF, Georgias JW, Reisman RE: Insect sting anaphylaxis in patients without detectable serum venom-specific IgE. J Allergy Clin Immunol 71:141, 1983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Selcow JE, Mendelson LM, Rosen JP: Anaphylactic reactions in skin test-negative patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol 65:400, 1980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Adkinson NF Jr: The radioallergosorbent test: Uses and abuses. J Allergy Clin Immunol 65:1, 1980

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Adkinson NF Jr: The radioallergosorbent test in 1981—Limitations and refinements. J Allergy Clin Immunol 67:87, 1981

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Ishizaka T, Ishizaka K: Mechanisms of passive sensitization. IV. Dissociation of IgE molecules from basophil receptors at acid pH. J Immunol 112:1078

  91. Sobotka AK, Malveaux FJ, Marone G, et al: IgE-mediated basophil phenomena: Quantitation, control, inflammatory interactions. Immunol Rev 41:171, 1978

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Conroy MC, Adkinson NF Jr, Sobotka AK, et al: “Releasability” of histamine from human basophils. Fed Proc 36:1216, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  93. Friedhoff LR, Meyers DA, Bias WB et al: A genetic-epidemiologic study of human immune responsiveness to allergens in an industrial population. I. Epidemiology of reported allergy and skin test positivity. Am J Med Genet 9:323, 1981

    Article  Google Scholar 

  94. Friedhoff LR, Meyers DA, Marsh DG: A genetic-epidemiologic study of human immune responsiveness to allergens in an industrial population. II. The associations among skin test sensitivity, total serum IgE, age, sex, and the reporting of allergies in a stratified random sample. J Allergy Clin Immunol 73:490, 1984

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. Chafee FH: The prevalence of bee sting allergy in an allergic population. Acts Allergol 25:292, 1970

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Mueller HL: Further experience with severe allergic reactions to insect stings. N Engl J Med 261:374, 1959

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Brown H, Bernton HS: Allergy to the Hymenoptera. V. Clinical study of 400 patients. Arch Intern Med 125:665, 1970

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Frazier CA: Allergic reactions to insect stings: A review of 180 cases. South Med J 57:1028, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  99. Reisman RE, Georgias JW: Frequency of positive venom skin tests in insect-allergic and non-allergic populations. J Allergy Clin Immunol 73:187, 1984

    Article  Google Scholar 

  100. Zora JA, Swanson MC, Yunginger JW: How common is unrecognized Hymenoptera venom allergy in the general population? J Allergy Clin Immunol 73:139, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  101. Herbert FA, Salkie ML: Sensitivity to Hymenoptera in adult males. Ann Allergy 48:12,1982

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Jarisch R, Zajc J, Buzath A: The risk of sensitization of non-allergic persons to bee venom. Arch Dermatol Res 273:173, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  103. Golden DBK, Kagey-Sobotka A, Gadde J, et al: Is venom immunotherapy forever? J Allergy Clin Immunol 75:208, 1985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  104. Golden DBK, Kagey-Sobotka A, Hamilton RG, et al: Human immune response to Hymenoptera venoms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 71:140, 1983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  105. Graft DF, Schuberth KC, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: The development of negative skin tests in children treated with venom immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 73:61, 1984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Randolph CC, Reisman RE: Further evaluation of decline in venom-specific IgE as a criteria for discontinuing venom immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 75:151, 1985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  107. Graft DF, Schuberth KC, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: Immunologic effects of prolonged venom immunotherapy in children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 71:140, 1983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  108. Urbanek R, Forster J, Kuhn W, Ziupa J: Discontinuation of bee venom immunotherapy in children and adolescents. J Pediatrics 107:367, 1985

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Schuberth KC, Graft DF, Kagey-Sobotka A, et al: Do all children with insect allergy need venom therapy? J Allergy Clin Immunol 71:140, 1983

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Supported by Grants A120136 and A108270 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Golden, D.B.K. Diagnosis and prevalence of stinging insect allergy. Clin Rev Allergy 5, 119–136 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02991202

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02991202

Keywords

Navigation