[Change in venom-specific IgE levels during 2-year follow-up in five cases with a history of Hymenoptera sting].
Levels of specific IgE antibodies to three kinds of venom (honeybee, wasp and yellow jacket) were followed up for two years in five male pest control operators (age: 24 to 50 years) with Hymenoptera sting within the latest six months. At the first examination, all subjects had a positive reaction for venom-specific IgE but their levels were varied in the range from class 2 to 5 (0.70 approximately 99.9 UA/ml), and a positive reaction was observed in the case of unoffending Hymenoptera. A subject who was re-stung during the two-year follow-up period showed increase in all of the venom-specific IgE levels. Of four subjects without re-stung during the two years, three subjects had a logarithmic decrease in all the specific IgE levels time-dependently, but one subject with a high total serum IgE level showed an increase and decrease alternately in the specific IgE The total serum IgE level may be a factor which influences the change in the venom-specific IgE level. In the four subjects without a high total serum IgE level, the biological half-life of venom-specific IgE was estimated to be 6 to 12 months based on the decreased level during the follow-up period.
Ono
T
T
Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University.
Yoshida
M
M
Nakazono
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D006927:Hymenoptera; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D001514:Bee Venoms; D007073:Immunoglobulin E