Influence of total IgE levels on the severity of sting reactions in Hymenoptera venom allergy.
Allergy
; 62(8): 884-9, 2007 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17620065
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Detection of specific IgE for Hymenoptera venoms and skin tests are well established diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of insect venom hypersensitivity. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of total IgE levels on the outcome of generalized anaphylactic reactions after a Hymenoptera sting.METHODS:
Two hundred and twenty patients allergic to bee, wasp, or European hornet venom were included in the study. Their specific and total IgE levels, serum tryptase levels, skin tests, and sting history were analyzed.RESULTS:
In patients with mild reactions (grade I, generalized skin symptoms) we observed higher total IgE levels (248.0 kU/l) compared to patients with moderate reactions (grade II, moderate pulmonary, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal symptoms; 75.2 kU/l) and severe reactions (grade III, bronchoconstriction, emesis, anaphylactic shock, or loss of consciousness; 56.5 kU/l; P < 0.001). Accordingly, 25% of the patients with low levels of total IgE (<50 kU/l), but no individual with total IgE levels >250 kU/l, developed loss of consciousness (P = 0.001). Additionally, specific IgE levels were related to total IgE levels Specific IgE levels increased from 1.6 to 7.1 kU/l in patients with low (<50 kU/l) and high (>250 kU/l) total IgE levels, respectively (P < 0.001). Specific IgE levels correlated inversely to the clinical reaction grades, however, this trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.083).CONCLUSION:
Patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy and high levels (>250 kU/l) of total IgE, predominantly develop grade I and grade II reactions and appear to be protected from grade III reactions. However, this hypothesis should be confirmed by extended studies with sting challenges.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Venenos de Abelha
/
Índice de Gravidade de Doença
/
Imunoglobulina E
/
Himenópteros
/
Hipersensibilidade
/
Mordeduras e Picadas de Insetos
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Allergy
Ano de publicação:
2007
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Áustria