A Clinical Study of 245 Japanese Patients with Bee Sting and Two Cases Administrated Rush Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy

Background and Aims : We report the results of clinical study into patients with bee sting, and two cases administrated rapid venom immunotherapy. Materials and Methods : A total of 245 patients with insect sting received medical treatment at Tone Central Hospital, Japan, between April 2001 and March 2003. Results : Forty eight patients experienced allergic symptoms of varying severity. Ten patients displayed grade IV anaphylaxy, no obvious correlations were identified between symptom severity and specific IgE-RAST values in response to insect venom. Rapid venom immunotherapy using long-legged wasp hymenoptera venom extract was administrated to 2 patients who displayed symptoms of shock. Maintenance dose (100μg/ml) was reached for 7 days without any adverse reactions. One of the 2 patients subsequently suffered bee sting again, but developed no symptoms of shock. Conclusion : venom immunotherapy is worth trying for patients displaying symptoms of shock following insect envenomation.