title: Serum sickness reaction following multiple insect stings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anaphylaxis is the most common systemic allergic reaction caused by stinging insects. Serum sickness reactions occur much less frequently.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the level of venom-specific IgG and IgE antibodies during and after a serum sickness reaction to vespid venom.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report; ELISA determination of venom-specific IgG and IgE; complement levels and tests for immune complexes were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report the case of a 66-year-old woman who developed a serum sickness reaction nine days after receiving multiple vespid stings. She developed urticaria, angioedema, fever, and arthralgias. She had elevated IgG and IgE venom-specific titers which declined during the recovery phase. Complement levels were normal and tests for immune complexes were negative. She was successfully treated with venom-specific immunotherapy without any serum sickness reaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A serum sickness reaction with elevated venom-specific IgG and IgE is reported with successful immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lazoglu
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Boglioli
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Taff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenbluth
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Macris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications*; D012713:Serum Sickness / Q000209:etiology*; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D014863:Wasps
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014862:Wasp Venoms; D007073:Immunoglobulin E