title: Simultaneous intradermal testing with hymenoptera venoms is safe and more efficient than sequential testing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to current guidelines, skin testing for hymenoptera venom allergy should be performed in a stepwise manner, maintaining 15- to 20-min intervals between the injections of venom. Given the long-winded procedure of sequential skin testing, we retrospectively explored the safety of simultaneous intradermal testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and seventy-eight consecutive patients with a convincing history of an anaphylactic reaction after a hymenoptera sting were tested. All venom concentrations (0.02 ml of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 μg/ml of honey bee and wasp venom) were administered simultaneously to the skin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and seventy-two (98.7%) patients tolerated the simultaneous intradermal test without any side-effects. Only three subjects (0.6%) had a presumed allergic reaction during the test; another three reactions were considered vasovagal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our skin test protocol with four simultaneously injected concentrations of two hymenoptera venoms is safe and permits the investigator to draw rapid conclusions about the individual's sensitization pattern.
authors: Division of Environmental Dermatology and Venerology, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Strohmeier
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Aberer
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Bokanovic
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Komericki
authors: G J
authors: GJ
authors: Sturm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000276:immunology*; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007428:Intradermal Tests / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D001180:Arthropod Venoms