title: Studies of the natural history of insect sting allergy.
abstract: The natural history of insect sting allergy was studied by observations of the results of re-sting on two groups of individuals who had prior sting anaphylaxis, had demonstrable venom-specific IgE, and did not receive venom immunotherapy. In the first study group, the mean duration between the initial sting reaction and re-sting exposure was 4.5 years; the re-sting reaction rate was 35%/sting and 50%/patient. In the second long-term study, the mean duration between the sting reaction and re-sting was 7.3 years; the re-sting reaction rate was 12%/sting and 12%/patient. Factors influencing the likelihood of re-sting reaction included older age, and the occurrence of cardiovascular/respiratory anaphylactic symptoms. In a prospective and retrospective study of 133 patients with large local reactions, re-sting observations indicated an extremely high recurrence of similar large local reactions, with little risk of subsequent anaphylaxis. These data suggest that: (1) insect sting anaphylaxis is a self-limiting process for the majority of individuals, and (2) re-stings in individuals who have had large local reactions have a relatively benign prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Research Laboratory, Buffalo General Hospital, New York 14203.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Reisman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors