Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Hymenoptera”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Adverse events associated with rush hymenoptera venom immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and nature of adverse events associated with the induction of rush Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive case study. SETTING: The asthma and allergy unit at a major metropolitan teaching hospital, between 1 January 1989 and 30 June 1999. PATIENTS: All patients with anaphylaxis to stings of Hymenoptera insects who received rush venom immunotherapy as inpatients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Hypersensitivity reactions to venom administration, including angioedema, skin rashes, hypotension and asthma, as well as any other adverse events related to the inpatient stay. RESULTS: 68 venom-allergic patients received 73 courses of rush immunotherapy; 89% were desensitised to honey bee venom, 10% to yellow jacket wasp venom, and one to paper wasp venom. Hypersensitivity reactions occurred after 36 subcutaneous injections (3.8% of all injections given) in 26 patients (38%). CONCLUSION: In our cohort, immunotherapy was accompanied by a high incidence of adverse systemic events during the induction phase. Immunotherapy should only be given by experienced staff in centres where there are facilities for resuscitation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hymenoptera sensitivity: diagnosis and treatment.

Hymenoptera anaphylaxis is responsible for 50 deaths annually. This may be an underestimation because not all anaphylactic episodes are recognized or reported. Unexplained deaths at the poolside or on golf courses, as well as those attributed to cardiac causes, may be caused by unrecognized anaphylaxis. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is highly effective in reducing an individual's risk of anaphylaxis. This review will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of hymenoptera sensitivity, patient selection for IT, standard VIT, and modified allergens.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed2004

Higher frequency of early local side effects with aqueous versus depot immunotherapy for hymenoptera venom allergy.

Venom immunotherapy has proven a very effective method for the treatment of allergy to Hymenoptera venom. Aqueous instead of depot extracts are prevalently used for this immunotherapy. The advantage of using aqueous extracts has not been fully investigated. We made an open, non-controlled study on 45 subjects sensitized to either Apis mellifera or Vespula spp. Patients were assigned to either a depot (N=27) or an aqueous (N=18) immunotherapy regimen, and side effects were monitored during the induction and the 3-year maintenance phase. The effect of naturally occurring stings during the treatment and after its interruption was recorded as well. Side effects were less frequent with the depot extract both on a "per patient" (22.2% versus 50.0%) and on a "per dose" (2.9% versus 10,2%) basis (p=0.026 and p<0.000, respectively). Better tolerance was mainly due to the lower frequency of local side effects occurring at early times after vaccination. The efficacy of vaccination was comparable in the 2 cohorts, as expected. We conclude that depot immunotherapy to Hymenoptera venom should be preferred to aqueous immunotherapy for the lower occurrence of local side effects. This might influence a better compliance with this potentially life-saving treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Development of new IgE specificities to hymenoptera allergens during venom-specific immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Despite the benefits of specific immunotherapy (SIT) being clinically well documented for allergic diseases, new IgE specificities to SIT extract allergens could be induced during the treatment. The authors evaluated these changes in patients allergic to Hymenoptera. METHODS: Six patients allergic to Hymenoptera venom were included in the study. Specific IgE (sIgE) levels determination and IgE immunoblots to Apis mellifera, Vespula spp. and Polistes spp. venom were performed before and after one year of SIT. RESULTS: All patients had sIgE levels reduction, after the first year of treatment, except one in whom there was an increase in sIgE levels to Apis mellifera venom, and two patients that maintained a similar value for Vespula spp. venom sIgE before and after one year of treatment. The immunoblot analysis revealed that most of the bands detected before beginning SIT, decreased in intensity or disappeared after one year of treatment. 3/6 patients developed new IgE specificities to venom extracts: one patient to the venom allergens in the treatment, other patient to allergens in other venom and another patient to both. After one year of treatment one of these patients tolerated a field sting by the corresponding insect. The newly recognised proteins were all minor allergens. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that sIgE levels tend to reduce during SIT, and the bands identifying some allergens in the blot tend to decrease or disappear. Nonetheless venom SIT can be responsible for the induction of new sensitisations to other venom allergens, apparently without clinical relevance.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis due to hymenoptera stings].

INTRODUCTION: Hymenoptera stings can give rise to a variety of conditions. The most common is a self-limiting local allergic reaction, but occasionally they may produce potentially serious systemic reactions. Neurological complications are rare, but very varied and of differing degrees of severity. Some such consequences are those of a demyelinating nature, which can affect the central and/or peripheral nervous system. Their exact pathogenesis remains unknown but an autoimmune mechanism has been suggested. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 28-year-old female who had a clinical picture compatible with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis ten days after being stung several times by a bumblebee. The diagnosis was based on findings from magnetic resonance imaging and on the clinical-radiological course after a one-year follow-up. The patient was treated with massive doses of intravenous corticosteroids and immunoglobulins, which brought about partial recovery from the neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS: Hymenoptera stings can produce demyelinating neurological complications, presumably related to the autoimmune system, which could benefit from treatment with immunomodulators such as corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or plasmapheresis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Hymenoptera venom allergy--new diagnostic methods].

During the past years, the number of patients with both anaphylaxis to hymenoptera sting and negative IgE detected by conventional methods has been increasing. To obviate this problem new assays have been tried, such as Western blot and in vitro challenge tests involving basophil activation, with either the measurement of histamine and sulphidoleukotrien released (CAST--Cellular Antigen Stimulation Test) or the detection of activation markers on the cell surface with flow cytometric analysis (Flow CAST). In this paper the principles of these assays as well as their diagnostic value in hymenoptera allergy are briefly reviewed.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

[Side effects of specific immunotherapy in patients with hymenoptera venom allergy].

The aim of this study was to estimate safety of specific immunotherapy to insects' venom. The frequency of side effects was compared in two groups of patients: subjects with hypersensitivity to insects' venom only and patients with allergy to other allergens. In the examined group of 32 patients with Hymenoptera venoms allergy skin prick tests with common aeroallergens were performed in 30 subjects. In 18 patients (60%) at least one test was positive. In 23 patients (71.9%) immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom was connected with side effects observed just after administration of vaccine. They were mainly local reactions (itching, redness and oedema). In 6 patients late reactions were observed. No correlation has been found between frequency of side effects of immunotherapy and positive results of skin prick tests. However systemic reactions were revealed only in the group of patients with at least one positive result of skin prick tests.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Decrease of IgE-dependent platelet activation in Hymenoptera hypersensitivity after specific rush desensitization.

A receptor for the Fc fragment of IgE on human platelets has been recently described, which mediated an IgE-dependent activation in the presence of specific allergen. We investigated the allergen-induced activation of platelets from patients with Hymenoptera hypersensitivity before and after specific rush desensitization. Nineteen patients with a history of anaphylactic reactions were included (15 sensitive to yellow-jacket and four to honey-bee venom), fourteen/nineteen having experienced severe life-threatening systemic reactions and 5/19 large local reactions. All showed positive skin tests and high values of specific IgE. By comparison to the baseline results obtained before desensitization, a significant decrease of platelet activation (76.8% inhibition) after rush desensitization was observed. In the case of two polysensitized patients, after Hymenoptera venom desensitization alone, platelets not only lost their reactivity to venom but also towards the other allergen. This modulation of the IgE-dependent platelet reactivity during desensitization offers therefore a new approach for the study of allergen-induced desensitization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Preventive treatment of severe allergic complications caused by Hymenoptera venom. Our experience apropos of 250 cases].

Out of a total of 350 referrals for allergy to hymenoptera venom over four years, 250 patients who had one or more severe systemic reactions were selected for a "rush course" of immunotherapy after confirmation of the responsible reagin (skin tests, specific IgE). The method used in the 245 patients who accepted the protocol enabled us to arrive at a maintenance dose of 100 micrograms of venom in three days. Tolerance was excellent; no serious side effects were observed; the course of immunotherapy did not have to be stopped in any of the patients. Clinical efficacy appeared to be satisfactory as no systemic reaction occurred in a fifth (50) of the patients treated who were bitten again, either spontaneously (24 cases), sometimes successfully and repeatedly (11 cases), or intentionally (26 cases). The IgG antivenom antibody was constantly raised from the first month and remained at a stable value. This harmless and effective method should be offered to patients allergic to hymenoptera venom.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Parental relationships in social Hymenoptera].

The societies of Hymenoptera are family groups where several generations live together. Parental relationships are particularly developed and are usually integrated into the division of labor. Parental behaviors include mainly licking, feeding the larvae, thermoregulation and transport of the brood, aiding in pupation and hatching. The parental relationships in social Hymenoptera are developed according to phylogenesis, in the same way as other behavioral types. These relations involve the use of specific signals, some emitted by the young and others by the adults. Some of the signals are learned during an early experience. In these insects, the progeny (or brood) constitute a basic class which is necessary to the physiological and behavioral regulations of the society.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Deliberate hymenoptera sting challenge as a diagnostic tool in highly selected venom-allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: Open environment and working conditions close to abundant insects of the order Hymenoptera should be avoided as much as possible by patients allergic to Hymenoptera venom who do not receive venom immunotherapy. After having experienced accidental field re-stings not resulting in a systemic reaction, some of these patients may be willing to resume normal life and working habits. Since venom-specific IgE usually remains elevated in these patients, repeated skin tests or RASTs are not helpful in identifying disappearance of their venom allergy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of deliberate live sting challenge as a diagnostic tool in highly selected venom-allergic patients who had initially refused venom immunotherapy. METHODS: Two cases are reported of bee venom-allergic patients who had previously refused venom immunotherapy and subsequently experienced honeybee field re-stings not resulting in systemic reactions. Two to three years later, their skin tests remained positive for bee venom. A third patient allergic to Vespa orientalis who had negative skin tests to all available venoms was denied venom immunotherapy due to lack of proper commercial venom. Because none of the patients was receiving venom immunotherapy the military service personnel concluded they still had venom allergy and rejected them from the highly prestigious service. All three patients were anxious to confirm the disappearance of their venom allergy and we used deliberate live sting challenges for that purpose. RESULTS: Two to three years after their initial systemic reactions live sting challenges were well tolerated by the three patients. They felt free to resume their normal life habits and were allowed to begin military service without further limitations. CONCLUSION: Deliberate insect stings using appropriate safety precautions should be considered a diagnostic tool in selected allergic patients who do not receive venom immunotherapy but in whom a reliable history of negative field re-stings can be obtained despite positive skin tests and in those who continue to have inconclusive venom skin tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Desensitization against the venoms of hymenoptera: a review of the literature].

Use of purified Hymenoptera venom extracts in desensitization protocols has made it possible to show its efficacy and tolerance in patients who have presented with a generalised serious reaction following Hymenoptera stings. In spite of a partial consensus, there are still points for discussion about the indications and especially about the stop criteria, which must be studied case by case. Different studies that compare batches of desensitized patients with others who have been not insufficiently treated, all confirm the best protection of subjects, even if in each batch there are exceptions that tend to qualify optimistic results.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Immunologic reactivity on one year follow-up of subjects without allergy to Hymenoptera stings.

We studied Hymenoptera stings in 72 pest-control operators without any previous systemic reactions to Hymenoptera stings, and investigated their venom-specific IgE levels in serial specimens collected over one year. At the initial evaluation, venom-specific IgE was present in 25 (34.7%) of 72 pest-control operators, and venom-specific IgE titer significantly decreased as the time interval from the last sting increased (p < 0.001). In most cases, venom-specific IgE disappeared less than 3 years after the last sting. On the other hand, the ratio of subjects with positive CAP for venom-specific IgE was significantly increased with an elevation of total serum IgE level (p < 0.001). After the one year follow-up, venom-specific IgE titer in the 25 subjects with positive CAP decreased significantly (p = 0.026). Total serum IgE level modified the decline significantly (p = 0.011), but the time interval from the last sting did not. In elevated total IgE level (>250 IU/ml), the decline of venom-specific IgE tended to be slow.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Population parameters of three parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae, Encyrtidae) hosted by the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)].

The reproductive parameters of Telenomus podisi, Trissolcus brochymenae (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Ooencyrtus sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) were studied for three generations on their natural host Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). A parasitism rate of 10 eggs/day/species was used under laboratory conditions of 27 +/- 1 degrees C, 60 +/- 10% RH and 14 h of photophase. No significant differences were detected between generations in terms of net reproductive rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), generation time (T) and the effect of doubling time on population increase (DT). However, T. podisi and T. brochymenae had significantly higher Ro and rm values, and lower T and DT values, with rm 1.59 and 1.50 times higher than Ooencyrtus sp., respectively. In addition the former species also had shorter egg-adult period, greater longevity of females and reproduction period than the other species. These results confirm the greater reproductive potential of T. podisi and T. brochymenae, which are commonly found parasitizing P. nigrispinus.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Change in venom-specific IgE levels during 2-year follow-up in five cases with a history of Hymenoptera sting].

Levels of specific IgE antibodies to three kinds of venom (honeybee, wasp and yellow jacket) were followed up for two years in five male pest control operators (age: 24 to 50 years) with Hymenoptera sting within the latest six months. At the first examination, all subjects had a positive reaction for venom-specific IgE but their levels were varied in the range from class 2 to 5 (0.70 approximately 99.9 UA/ml), and a positive reaction was observed in the case of unoffending Hymenoptera. A subject who was re-stung during the two-year follow-up period showed increase in all of the venom-specific IgE levels. Of four subjects without re-stung during the two years, three subjects had a logarithmic decrease in all the specific IgE levels time-dependently, but one subject with a high total serum IgE level showed an increase and decrease alternately in the specific IgE The total serum IgE level may be a factor which influences the change in the venom-specific IgE level. In the four subjects without a high total serum IgE level, the biological half-life of venom-specific IgE was estimated to be 6 to 12 months based on the decreased level during the follow-up period.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Facial diplegia after hymenoptera sting.

Two cases of bilateral facial palsy after hymenoptera sting are presented. In both cases, the neurological examination is otherwise normal, a lymphoplasmocytic reaction is present in the CSF, no other etiology is found, and the recovery is complete. The neurological complications of hymenoptera sting and the differential diagnosis of bilateral facial palsy are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Vitellogenin of the parasitoid wasp, Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): gene organization and differential use by members of the genus.

The vitellogenin (Vg) gene of the parasitoid wasp, Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), has been cloned and sequenced. The gene codes for a protein consisting of 1814 amino acids in seven exons. The position of the six introns in the E. formosa gene align with those inferred for the Vg gene of the honeybee, Apis mellifera. The position of two introns in the hymenopteran sequences are shared with every full-length insect Vg gene characterized to date. The deduced amino acid sequence of the E. formosa Vg gene most closely resembles that of the ichneumonid parasitoid, Pimpla nipponica (38% identity). The gene product, less the putative signal peptide, contains large quantities of serine (11.3% of total residues) but lacks the extensive polyserine tracts found in the Vgs of insects outside the apocritan Hymenoptera. The gene also codes for the highest level of lysine (9.5%), and lowest levels of phenylalanine (2.6%) and tyrosine (2.3%), observed in any insect Vg characterized to date. The mature gene product retains 12 cysteine residues in positions conserved in other insect Vgs. Ovary homogenates suggest that processed Vg is stored in the egg as an uncleaved molecule of approximately 200 kDa. Vg expression was examined in three additional Encarsia species. The protein was found in female E. sophia and E. luteola, but not in male E. luteola or female E. pergandiella. Despite extensive screening of a phage library prepared from E. pergandiella genomic DNA, a Vg gene was not detected in this species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Kounis syndrome associated with hypersensitivity to hymenoptera stings.

Hymenoptera stings can induce acute coronary syndromes by different pathogenetic mechanisms including direct action of the venom constituents on the coronary endothelium or allergic reaction with mediators acting on the coronary vasculature. Two patients were stung by wasps and honeybees and developed Kounis syndrome as a consequence of allergic reaction. Kounis syndrome is the concurrence of acute coronary syndromes with mast cell activation induced by allergic or hypersensitivity and anaphylactic of anaphylactoid reactions. It is caused via inflammatory mediators released through mast cell activation. The patients had pre-existing coronary artery disease (type II variant of Kounis syndrome) and the allergic reaction induced by hymenoptera stings seems to have triggered inflammatory mediator release. The pathophysiology and clinical implications of this association are discussed.

Aged↗