The value of immunotherapy with venom in children with allergy to insect stings

Article Abstract:

Injections of insect venom have been shown to be effective in preventing serious allergic reactions to insect stings in sensitive adults. Considerations of cost and possible side effects of long-term venom use prompted an intensive study of immunized and nonimmunized children. This age group was selected because truly severe reactions to stings are less frequent in children than adults, and because children are most in need of protection from any possible long-term effects of the venom. Two hundred and forty-two children with systemic skin reactions to insect stings not involving respiratory effects received either venom (68) or no venom (174), according to a study design where patients chose whether to participate in randomization. Immunizations were given weekly until a certain dose level had been reached, then monthly. Stings were then allowed to occur naturally; the average number of stings per child was slightly more than one during the four-year follow-up period. Treated children suffered only one systemic reaction (36 children stung 84 times), while untreated children had 18 systemic reactions (86 children stung 196 times). The reactivity of the treated group was less than that of the untreated group, both in terms of reactions per sting and the number of patients who reacted per patient stung. The results suggest that, since systemic reactions to stings even among the untreated children were quite infrequent (18.6 percent), children rarely progress to severe reactions, even when they have a history of systemic reactions. Venom immunotherapy appears to be unnecessary for children whose previous reactions to insect stings have been limited to the skin. However, adults with such reactions should undergo venom immunotherapy, since they have a much greater chance of developing severe reactions after subsequent stings. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

---

Immunotherapy for allergy to insect stings

Article Abstract:

A report is discussed that appeared in the December 6, 1990 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine concerning immunotherapy for people who are allergic to insect stings. The report concerned children with histories of mild systemic reactions to stings, and concluded that immunization with insect venom (used to prevent allergic reactions in sensitive adults) is not warranted for children. The conclusion was reached, in large part, as a result of the lack of serious reactions produced by stings in immunized or unimmunized subjects. Adults are more predisposed than children to life-threatening reactions after insect stings, and should be considered for immunization if they have had systemic reactions. What of the patient with a large local reaction after a sting (more common after the stings of imported fire ants than of bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets)? Such reactions consist of local swelling, itching, redness, warmth, and pain, and may persist for several days. However, these reactions do not seem to be associated with subsequent systemic allergic reactions. A brief review is presented of the procedure of immunization with insect venom. Patients who undergo such treatment, but who have not completed the full course, should carry a syringe with epinephrine (to be administered in emergencies to treat severe allergic reactions). (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

editorial

---

Outcomes of allergy to insect stings in children, with and without venom immunotherapy

Article Abstract:

Data shows that although the majority of children do outgrow the allergy to insect stings, a systemic allergic reaction still occurred in almost one child in five who was stung up to 32 years after the original reaction. Allergic reactions to insect stings in 1033 children were diagnosed. Venom immunotherapy in children leads to a significantly lower risk of systemic reaction to stings even 10 to 20 years after treatment is stopped.

Science & research, Children, Research, Diagnosis, Risk factors, Allergy, Allergic reaction

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The role of definitive radiation therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue. A Phase I-II trial of multimodality management of bulky gynecologic malignancy: combined chemoradiosensitization and radiotherapy
• Abstracts: Molecular epidemiology of rotavirus in children attending day care centers in Houston. Impact of rotavirus infection at a large pediatric hospital
• Abstracts: AIDS in intravenous drug users: issues related to enrollment in clinical trials. Use of paper-absorbed fingerstick blood samples for studies of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in intravenous drug users
• Abstracts: The agent of bacillary angiomatosis: an approach to the identification of uncultured pathogens. A newly recognized fastidious gram-negative pathogen as a cause of fever and bacteremia
• Abstracts: Clinical and pathological features of bacillary peliosis hepatis in association with human immunodeficiency virus infection

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.