title: Shortness of interval between two stings as risk factor for developing Hymenoptera venom allergy.
abstract: The aim of the study was to determine whether a short interval (< 2 months) between two consecutive stings influences the development of Hymenoptera venom allergy. The study compared the sting-interval distribution in 120 allergic patients who experienced a first-time systemic reaction to a Hymenoptera sting, and in 100 healthy controls. A significant difference in sting-interval distribution between the two groups was found (P = 0.0001). In 71 of 120 allergic patients, the sting that provoked the systemic reaction had been preceded by another, completely tolerated sting not more than 2 months before. However, in the control group only four subjects out of 100 had received two consecutive stings within less than 2 months. In conclusion, a short interval between two consecutive stings seems to be a risk factor for the onset of Hymenoptera venom allergy.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Allergologia Respiratoria, Ospedale Umberto I, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pucci
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Antonicelli
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bilò
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Garritani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonifazi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D001516:Bees / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms