Management of imported fire ant allergy: results of a survey.
BACKGROUND
Fire ant allergy is a significant health problem in the southern United States. Management of fire ant allergy is less clearly defined than management of allergy to the winged Hymenoptera.


OBJECTIVE
To determine how fire ant allergy is managed by practicing allergists.


METHODS
A survey form was developed and distributed to American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology members practicing in fire ant endemic states. Completed forms were returned to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology central office and forwarded to the authors for analysis.


RESULTS
Three hundred twenty-nine of 879 (37.4%) surveys were returned; 81% of respondents have evaluated patients with imported fire ant allergy. Immunotherapy is used by 96.7% of respondents to treat fire ant allergy. A wide range of maintenance dosages are prescribed. Skin testing is the most common diagnostic method. Systemic reactions to stings while on maintenance immunotherapy were reported by 19%. Allergists utilize different criteria in consideration for stopping immunotherapy; 19% continue it indefinitely.


CONCLUSIONS
There are many areas of general uniformity and other areas of divergence in how allergists manage imported fire ant allergy. These findings suggest continued need for further investigation regarding the efficacy, dosage, and duration of immunotherapy, as well as further elucidation of the natural history of fire ant allergy.
Moffitt
J E
JE
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505, USA.
Barker
J R
JR
Stafford
C T
CT
D000862:Ant Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000517:prevention & control; D007300:Insect Control; D015144:Southeastern United States; D015206:Southwestern United States
D000862:Ant Venoms