title: The development of negative skin tests in children treated with venom immunotherapy.
abstract: Twenty-eight of 62 children (45%) with a history of sting-induced anaphylaxis and initially positive skin tests to venom(s) developed negative venom skin tests to one or more of the venoms used in their treatment after 3 yr or more of immunotherapy. Children who developed negative venom skin tests were less sensitive prior to treatment, as judged by venom skin tests and venom-specific IgE antibody determinations, than children who maintained positive venom skin tests. Levels of venom-specific IgE antibodies declined with time in most children, but to lower levels in those with negative skin tests. Venom-specific IgG antibody levels were similar in both patients with negative skin tests and those with persistently positive skin tests. The development of negative skin tests may reflect a loss of allergic sensitivity, which is sufficient to allow the physician to consider the discontinuation of venom injections.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D007074:Immunoglobulin G