title: Comparing the ability of molecular diagnosis and CAP-inhibition in identifying the really causative venom in patients with positive tests to Vespula and Polistes species.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cross-reactivity among Hymenoptera venoms is an important issue when prescribing venom immunotherapy (VIT). Using all venoms eliciting a positive response results in treatment excess and unjustified cost increase. The first in vitro method that helped to identify the really causative venom was RAST-inhibition, but in latest years also molecular allergy (MA) diagnostics, that detects specific sIgE to single venom allergens, was introduced. We compared the two methods in patients with double sensitization to Vespula spp. and Polistes spp.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients with anaphylactic reactions to Hymenoptera stings and positive results to skin tests and sIgE measurement with whole venom from Vespula spp. and Polistes dominula were included in the study. Sera from all patients were analyzed by CAP-inhibition (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden) and MA diagnostics with recombinant Ves v 1, Ves v 5 and Pol d 5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By the data obtained from MA technique, VIT would have been prescribed to 7 patients for Polistes, to 6 for Vespula, and to 41 for both venoms. With the data from CAP inhibition, it would have been a prescription to 15 patients for Polistes, to 28 for Vespula, and to 11 for both venoms. A good concordance between the results of MA and CAP-inhibition was found only when the value in kU/l of Ves v 5 were about twice those of Pol d 5, and vice versa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that in the choice of the venom to be used for VIT CAP-inhibition remains a pivotal tool, because the significance of in vitro inhibition is definite and provides a diagnostic importance higher than MA in patients with positive tests to both Vespula and Polistes spp.
authors: Allergy Unit, G. Da Saliceto Hospital, AUSL Piacenza, Piacenza, Italy.
authors: Eleonora
authors: E
authors: Savi
authors: Allergy Unit, G. Da Saliceto Hospital, AUSL Piacenza, Piacenza, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Peveri
authors: Allergy/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, ICP Hospital, Via Bignami 1, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Makri
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Allergy and Immunology, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors: Valerio
authors: V
authors: Pravettoni
authors: Allergy/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, ICP Hospital, Via Bignami 1, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors: Cristoforo
authors: C
authors: Incorvaia
keywords: CAP inhibition; Diagnosis; Hymenoptera venom allergy; Molecular allergy; Vespids