title: The Hymenoptera venom study I, 1979-1982: demographics and history-sting data.
abstract: The Hymenoptera venom study, a study based on case histories, skin test results and adverse reactions, immunotherapy and adverse reactions, and treatment efficacy, for 3236 Hymenoptera-allergic subjects, was begun in 1979 after the Food and Drug Administration approval of Hymenoptera venoms. Eighty-four Fellows and Members of the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology participated in the study. All subjects had a history of an adverse reaction to one or more Hymenoptera insects. The mean age was 30 1/2 years (range 1 to 83 years). Male subjects accounted for 61.5% and female subjects, 38.5%; 3.1% were beekeepers and 32.3% were atopic. Demographic data were similar for subgroups. There was an average of 2.7 history stings per subject. At least one systemic reaction (SR) was reported by 2866 subjects (89%); 2219 (69%) experienced an SR after their most recent sting before entry into the study, and 70% had experienced only a single SR. Moderate to severe SRs were equally likely after stings of yellow jacket, white-faced hornet, and yellow hornet (65%), honeybee (67%), or wasp (70%), although historical SRs were reported more often after stings of yellow jacket, white-faced hornet, or yellow hornet (30%) than after honeybee (19%) or wasp (14%) stings. No association was noted between the number of stings per episode and severity of the SR. Fifty-one percent of SRs were reported as occurring within 10 minutes of sting; however, the onset of a moderate to severe SR sometimes occurred at 301 or more minutes after a sting episode. Of 2219 subjects with an SR after their most recent sting before entry into the study, 68% received epinephrine for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lockey
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Turkeltaub
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Baird-Warren
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Olive
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Olive
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Peppe
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bukantz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006927:Hymenoptera; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors; D014862:Wasp Venoms
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D014862:Wasp Venoms; D004837:Epinephrine