title: Insect Sting Reactions and Specific IgE to Venom and Major Allergens in a General Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Insect sting reactions are frequently reported, but population studies documenting the frequency and the relation to IgE-sensitization and serum tryptase are scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire data and results from measurements of specific IgE against venom, major allergens and cross-reacting carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) were collected from 2,090 adult participants in a cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  13% of the population reported symptoms of sting reactions and about half were systemic in nature. In all, 15% were sensitized to venom but only 31% of these had reacted to stings and only 38% of those with reactions had IgE to venom. In addition, 12% with IgE to venom were double-sensitized (DS), i.e. to both bee and wasp venom. Among DS IgE to major venom allergens, rApi m 1, rVes v 1 and rVes v 5 were negative and of no help in 31%, but 59% could be identified as likely sensitized to bee or wasp. IgE to CCDs occurred in only 0.7%, but 80% of these were DS. Finally, 36% with IgE to CCDs had had symptoms, mostly local. Serum tryptase was not associated with a history of sting reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a temperate climate, self-reported insect sting reactions and sensitization to venom are frequent, but in most cases, these are not seen in the same individual. In DS individuals, measurements of IgE to major allergens can be helpful in some but not all cases and additional analyses are needed. IgE to CCDs may have some clinical relevance.
authors: Allergy Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors: Holger
authors: H
authors: Mosbech
authors: Line
authors: L
authors: Tang
authors: Allan
authors: A
authors: Linneberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D001180:Arthropod Venoms; D001514:Bee Venoms; D015415:Biomarkers; D014862:Wasp Venoms; D007073:Immunoglobulin E