BACKGROUND Specific immunotherapy for hymenoptera venom allergy (venom immunotherapy [VIT]) is safe and effective. The duration of treatment is still open for discussion because there is no reliable routine test to determine the real risk of serious anaphylactic reactions. This prospective study, which spans more than 25 years, was conducted to ensure unlimited protection through continuous VIT...

Potter wasps belong to the subfamily Eumeninae of the family Vespidae. Potter wasp is a common name given for a group of caterpillar hunting wasp which builds the pot-shaped mud nests. Initially the wasp constructs the nest and then starts hunting for its prey, the caterpillars. The prey is stung and paralyzed by the wasp then brought to the nest. It is perhaps a very highly specific behavior o...

BACKGROUND Patients with mastocytosis and wasp venom allergy (WA) may benefit from venom immunotherapy (VIT). However, fatal insect sting reactions have been described in mastocytosis patients despite previous immunotherapy. We investigated the safety and efficacy of (rush) VIT in patients with mastocytosis and WA. OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety and efficacy of (rush) VIT in patients wit...

Wasp venoms contain a number of pharmacologically active biomolecules, undertaking a wide range of functions necessary for the wasp's survival. We purified and characterized a novel bioactive peptide (vespin) from the venoms of Vespa magnifica (Smith) wasps with unique primary structure. Its amino acid sequence was determined to be CYQRRVAITAGGLKHRLMSSLIIIIIIRINYLRDNSVIILESSY. It has 44 residue...

The wasp Anisopteromalus calandrae is a small ectoparasitoid that attacks stored product pest beetle larvae that develop inside grain kernels, and is thus a potential insect control tool. The components of A. calandrae venom have not been studied, but venom from other organisms contains proteins with potential applications, such as pest management tools and treatments for human diseases. We dis...

BACKGROUND This study aims to present the management and clinical findings of a case of corneal wasp sting and to report the outcome of corneal change and panuveitis after vitrectomy. FINDINGS Clinical findings, anterior segment photographs, corneal endothelial changes, and medical treatment of corneal wasp sting-induced panuveitis are presented. A 95-year-man was stung by a wasp on his left ...

BACKGROUND Previously we treated patients with insect sting allergy with venom immunotherapy (IT) using whole body insect extracts. From 1980 we changed to insect venoms. The purpose of this study was to analyse data from the patients in order to improve our treatment. METHODS This is an open, single centre study on patients treated with venom IT 14 years or older with a history of a systemic...

BACKGROUND Correct identification of the culprit venom is a prerequisite for specific venom immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE To assess whether the basophil activation test (BAT) constitutes an additional diagnostic instrument in patients with equivocal or negative specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E or venom skin test (VST) results. METHODS One hundred eighteen patients with a compelling history of IgE-...

Dear Editor, Although wasp stings are common environmental injuries , those regarding the eye are rare. Symptoms vary from mild hyperemia to sight-threatening complications [1-4]. Wasp stings to the eye lead to a mechanical insult caused by stinger penetration, resultant toxicity, and an immune response [1]. A few reports have documented ocular inflammation induced by the venom or a retained st...