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Venom immunotherapy in Europe and the United States

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  • Venom immunotherapy in Europe and the United States
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Abstract

Background: Hymenoptera stings are accountable for significant morbidity and deterioration in health-related quality of life due to the allergic reactions they cause, the most severe of which can culminate in fatal anaphylaxis. The availability of high quality venom extracts for use in the diagnosis and treatment of insect venom allergy has improved the prognosis and the health-related quality of life of venom-allergic patients. All over the world subcutaneous venom immunotherapy is currently the most effective form of allergen-based immunotherapy with an early, sustained and long-term efficacy. Even though the type of insect responsible for allergic reactions may be different from Europe and US and therefore also the type of extract, nevertheless indications and contraindications are quite similar, as well as treatment protocols and treatment duration. However, neither the efficacy nor the safety of the treatment are optimal, especially with regard to bee venom immunotherapy, and so there is considerable room for further improvement in these important areas.

Purpose: This review presents the current practice of venom immunotherapy in Europe and United States discussed at the EAACI (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) Allergy School on Insect Venom held in Groningen in April 2019.

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Acknowledgement

This work was partially presented as a lecture in the EAACI Allergy School on Insect Venom Allergy and Mastocytosis held in Groningen, The Netherlands, April 11-13, 2019.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italien

    Beatrice Bilò

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italien

    Matteo Martini

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ancona, Ancona, Korea

    Chiara Tontini

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ancona, Ancona, Italien

    Chiara Tontini & Leonardo Antonicelli

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  1. Beatrice Bilò
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Correspondence to Beatrice Bilò.

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M.B. Bilò has received speaker's honorarium and consultancy fees from ALK-Abello'. M. Martini, A. Corsi, C. Tontini and L. Antonicelli declare that they have no competing interests.

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Bilò, B., Martini, M., Tontini, C. et al. Venom immunotherapy in Europe and the United States. Allergo J 29, 16–25 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15007-020-0747-y

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