Low specific IgE, IgG and lymphocyte reactivity in a group of patients developing anaphylaxis following a honey-bee sting.
Ten patients who developed severe generalized reactions following a honey-bee sting were investigated for the presence of specific IgE and IgG antibodies, and for lymphocyte reactivity following in-vitro honey-bee venom (HBV) stimulation. Five of the patients (high responders) showed high HBV-specific IgE and IgG levels, whereas the other five patients (low responders) showed low HBV-specific IgE and IgG levels. Mononuclear cells from the high responder group incorporated significant amounts of 3H-thymidine when activated with pure bee venom, whereas insignificant lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the low-responder group. It is concluded that, amongst HBV-sensitive patients, a group of low responders exists in whom the mechanism of anaphylaxis cannot be explained.
Lomnitzer
R
R
Medical Research Council Human Cellular Immunology Research Unit, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg.
Lanner
A
A
Rabson
A R
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D001516:Bees / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
D001514:Bee Venoms; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E