Cross reactivity between European hornet and yellow jacket venoms.
BACKGROUND
Cross-reactions between venoms may be responsible for multiple diagnostic positivities in hymenoptera allergy. There is limited data on the cross-reactivity between Vespula spp and Vespa crabro, which is an important cause of severe reactions in some parts of Europe. We studied by CAP-inhibition assays and immunoblotting the cross-reactivity between the two venoms.


METHODS
Sera from patients with non discriminative skin/CAP positivity to both Vespula and Vespa crabro were collected for the analyses. Inhibition assays were carried out with a CAP method, incubating the sera separately with both venoms and subsequently measuring the specific IgE to venoms themselves. Immunoblotting was performed on sera with ambiguous results at the CAP-inhibition.


RESULTS
Seventeen patients had a severe reaction after Vespa crabro sting and proved skin and CAP positive also to vespula. In 11/17 patients, Vespula venom completely inhibited IgE binding to VC venom, whereas VC venom inhibited binding to Vespula venom only partially (<75%). In 6 subjects the CAP-inhibition provided inconclusive results and their sera were analysed by immunoblotting. The SDS-PAGE identified hyaluronidase, phospholipase A1 and antigen 5 as the main proteins of the venoms. In 5 sera the levels of IgE against antigen 5 of Vespa crabro were higher than IgE against Vespula germanica, thus indicating a true sensitisation to crabro.


CONCLUSIONS
In the case of multiple positivities to Vespa crabro and Vespula spp the CAP inhibition is helpful in detecting the cross-reactivities.
Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze, Italy.
M G
MG
Severino
B
B
Caruso
P
P
Bonadonna
D
D
Labardi
D
D
Macchia
P
P
Campi
G
G
Passalacqua
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014863:Wasps
D000485:Allergens; D019476:Insect Proteins; D014862:Wasp Venoms; D007073:Immunoglobulin E