Use of RAST technique in wasp sting hypersensitivity. Cross-reactions between various insect antigens are specially considered.
Clinical hypersensitivity to wasp stings was found to be fairly well correlated with the presence of serum IgE-antibodies against yellow jacket venom as detected by the RAST technique. Such antibodies were never found in a control group of non-allergic blood donors, but they were detected in a surprisingly large proportion of patients with bee sting allergy without known allergic reactions to wasps. Studies using RAST inhibition technique failed to prove cross-reactions between bee and wasp venoms. Considerably better results were obtained when venom antigens instead of whole body antigens were used in the RAST. RAST inhibition studies suggested that IgE-antibodies detected with RAST using whole body antigen are directed against bee venom constituents in the whole body extract.
D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000276:immunology; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology*; D007313:Insecta / Q000276:immunology; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014688:Venoms / Q000276:immunology; D014863:Wasps / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D014688:Venoms; D007073:Immunoglobulin E