Author/Editor		Mosbech, H; Mueller, U; Košnik, M
Title		Side-effects of insect venom immunotherapy: results from and EAACI multicenter study
Type		članek
Source		Allergy
Vol. and No.		Letnik 55, št. 11
Publication year		2000
Volume		str. 1005-10
Language		eng
Abstract		Background: The effect of venom immunotherapy (VIT) is well documented, but fear of systemic side-effects (SE) may prevent its use. The study aimed to analyze the character and frequency of SE and risk factors. Methods: In a prospective study, 19 European centers included patients starting on VIT for systemic reactions to insect stings. Various dose regimens were applied. Results: Data from 840 patients with a total of 26601 injections were obtained. Seventy-one percent were treated with Vespula-venom extract and 27% with honeybee-venom extract. Twenty percent of patients had SE corresponding to 1.9% of injections during dose increase and 0.5% during the maintenance phase. The vast majority of the 280 reactions were mild: only one-third required medical treatment. Injected or inhaled adrenaline was applied in six patients, of whom only one had a drop in blood pressure and collapse. Female sex, bee-venom extract, and rapid dose increase, but not severity of insect sting reactions, inereased the risk of SE. The severity of SE was less in males but was not related to age, treatment phase, species of insect, or severity of insect sting reactions. Conclusions: The frequency of SE was low, and the majority of these could be managed without treatment. Risk was increased in females, in bee-venom-treated patients, and in those with rapid dose increase.
Descriptors		BEE VENOMS WASP VENOMS DESENSITIZATION, IMMUNOLOGIC INSECT BITES AND STINGS EUROPE PROSPECTIVE STUDIES MULTICENTER STUDIES