title: Effect of prolonged venom immunotherapy on serum venom-specific IgE and IgG.
abstract: Serum venom-specific IgE and IgG were monitored in twenty-three patients receiving venom immunotherapy for more than 3 years. Two response patterns of IgE antibody were found. Following initiation of therapy, seven patients had a rise in serum venom-specific IgE, peaking at one year, then decreasing. Sixteen patients had a persistent fall in IgE antibody titres following initiation of therapy. At the end of 3 years, levels of serum venom-specific IgE in both groups were comparable. The presence of atopy may have influenced the rising IgE antibody response. Serum venom-specific IgG either rose or remained elevated if the pretreatment titres were high. After several years of therapy, there was generally a decrease in serum venom-specific IgG.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013997:Time Factors; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014862:Wasp Venoms; D007073:Immunoglobulin E