BACKGROUND The diagnosis of insect venom allergy and the indication for specific immunotherapy is based on history, skin tests and demonstration of hymenoptera venom specific IgE-antibodies. In cases with contradictory test results additional cellular tests are recommended. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the usefulness of a newly introduced test based on basophil CD63 expression as marker of activati...

Viperfav(TM) is a commercial F(ab')₂ antivenom prepared against European vipers venom. It is safe and effective for treating envenomation caused by Vipera aspis and Vipera berus. Therapeutic efficacy for treating Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (V. a. ammodytes) envenoming has not been yet described, although protective efficacy has been demonstrated in preclinical studies. We report on a 32-year-ol...

A 14-year-old previously healthy boy presents with a 2-week history of purpuric rash with worsening pain of lower extremities. He has an unremarkable past medical and surgical history, with age-appropriate development. Two weeks prior to presentation, he developed “bug bites” around his ankles bilaterally with minimal pruritis. Over the next 3 days, this rash began to progress to his mid-calves...

Reducing the risk of mosquito bites is currently the only way to reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection. Methods for avoiding mosquito bites include limiting the time spent outdoors at dawn and dusk, wearing protective clothing and using an insect repellent. Repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are the most effective and most wi...

Angioedema is an intense often disfiguring but temporary swelling of a localized area which usually involves superficially lying structures like skin, mucosa along with subcutaneous tissues. Areas are affected by angioedema have wide range starting from the face, lips, tongue, pharynx, supraglottic and rarely, subglottic area. It might also effect gastrointestinal mucous membranes, genitalia, h...

Wasp stings are not uncommon in Nepal. The manifestations of stings are usually benign and localised at the site of stings. However, susceptible individuals may present with multi-systemic and potentially fatal complications. We report here a child who developed acute kidney injury, nine days after multiple wasp stings. The renal function recovered with supportive management including two sessi...

Insect stings can cause life-threatening IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions in venom-allergic patients. Although several compounds have already been described as venom allergens, prominent allergen candidates especially in the higher m.w. range have still remained elusive. Tandem mass spectrometry-based sequencing assigned a candidate gene to the most prominent putative high m.w. allergen Api ...

There is little information on scorpion stings in Australia. The aim of this study is to describe the circumstances and clinical effects of stings by Australian scorpions. Cases of scorpion stings were collected prospectively from calls and presentations to Australian poison information centres and emergency departments from February 2000 to April 2002. Only definite scorpion stings where the s...

Silymarin ‘milk thistle’ (Silybum marianum) plant, has been used for years treatment of different diseases such as liver and gallbladder disorders, protecting against snake bite insect stings, mushroom poisoning alcohol abuse. antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidative, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, regeneration activities. The cardioprotective activities silymarin were primarily...

BACKGROUND The bite of Triatominae can cause cutaneous allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis. Since the early 1980s, no population-based surveys have been done in Southern California, and none was ever carried out in inland Los Angeles or Riverside Counties. OBJECTIVES To measure the frequency of insect sightings, bites and allergic reactions in a suburban area of eastern Los Angeles County...