Pimecrolimus (Elidel, SDZ ASM 981) is an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory 33-epichloro-derivative of macrolactam ascomycin, with low potential for affecting systemic immune responses compared with other calcineurin inhibitors, cyclosporin A and tacrolimus. Despite numerous studies focused on the mechanism of pimecrolimus action on mast cells, only the single report has addressed pimecroli...

The interactions between Drosophila melanogaster and the parasitoid wasps that infect species provide an important model for understanding host–parasite relationships. Following infection, D. larvae mount a response in which immune cells (hemocytes) form capsule around wasp egg, then melanizes, leading to death of parasitoid. Previous studies have found host hemocyte load; number hemocytes avai...

BACKGROUND There is need for an accurate diagnostic test in mastocytosis patients with wasp venom allergy (WVA) and monitoring of these patients during immunotherapy (IT). In this study, we aimed to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the Basophil Activation Test (BAT) as a diagnostic and monitoring test in patients with mastocytosis and WVA. METHODS Seventeen patients with mastocytosis a...

BACKGROUND Immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated sensitization to N-glycans (cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants, CCDs) may induce double IgE reactivity to honeybee venom (HBV) and yellow jacket venom (YJV) in patients who are monosensitized to either of these venoms. Alcohol consumption is associated with increased IgE levels and possibly with sensitization to CCDs in the general population. O...

Stings from bees and wasps can cause systemic allergic reactions in sensitized patients. However, the mystery of why some cases develop allergic reactions while others do not, remains poorly understood. We investigated whether particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II genes contribute to the development of venom allergy. A total of 21 bee and/or wasp venom sensitive patients...

BACKGROUND The ultrarush protocol is an attractive approach in the buildup phase of venom immunotherapy (VIT-UR). However, the degree of risk of VIT-UR in children remains unknown. The objective of this study was to compare the safety of VIT-UR in children and adults. METHODS We performed a study based on prospectively gathered medical records of children and adults with hymenoptera venom all...