[Safety of rush immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence and nature of adverse events associated with the induction of rush Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy.


METHODS
Between 1998 and 2003, we administered venom immunotherapy to 48 patients allergic to bee or wasp venom, by means of a rush immunotherapy protocol (3 days).


RESULTS
We observed no severe adverse reactions in any patients. 12 patients developed only local reactions at the site of injections that did not required any pharmacological treatment. Two patients experienced mild systemic reactions consisting of diffuse urticaria on day 3. Both adverse reactions were treated with intravenous antihistamines.


CONCLUSIONS
Our experience confirms that rapid venom immunotherapy is safe and should be considered in every case especially for patients during the stinging insect season when a rapid protection is required.
Sánchez-Morillas
L
L
Servicio de Alergología, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, San Martín de Porres, Madrid, Spain. lsanchezmorillas@hotmail.com
Reaño Martos
M
M
Rodríguez Mosquera
M
M
Iglesias Cadarso
A
A
Domínguez Lázaro
A R
AR
D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D000799:Angioedema / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014581:Urticaria / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001514:Bee Venoms; D014862:Wasp Venoms; D007073:Immunoglobulin E