OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and nature of adverse events associated with the induction of rush Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive case study. SETTING: The asthma and allergy unit at a major metropolitan teaching hospital, between 1 January 1989 and 30 June 1999. PATIENTS: All patients with anaphylaxis to stings of Hymenoptera insects who received rush venom immunotherapy as inpatients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Hypersensitivity reactions to venom administration, including angioedema, skin rashes, hypotension and asthma, as well as any other adverse events related to the inpatient stay. RESULTS: 68 venom-allergic patients received 73 courses of rush immunotherapy; 89% were desensitised to honey bee venom, 10% to yellow jacket wasp venom, and one to paper wasp venom. Hypersensitivity reactions occurred after 36 subcutaneous injections (3.8% of all injections given) in 26 patients (38%). CONCLUSION: In our cohort, immunotherapy was accompanied by a high incidence of adverse systemic events during the induction phase. Immunotherapy should only be given by experienced staff in centres where there are facilities for resuscitation.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and nature of adverse events associated with the induction of rush Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive case study. SETTING: The asthma and allergy unit at a major metropolitan teaching hospital, between 1 January 1989 and 30 June 1999. PATIENTS: All patients with anaphylaxis to stings of Hymenoptera insects who received rush venom immunotherapy as inpatients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Hypersensitivity reactions to venom administration, including angioedema, skin rashes, hypotension and asthma, as well as any other adverse events related to the inpatient stay. RESULTS: 68 venom-allergicpatients received 73 courses of rush immunotherapy; 89% were desensitised to honey bee venom, 10% to yellow jacket wasp venom, and one to paper wasp venom. Hypersensitivity reactions occurred after 36 subcutaneous injections (3.8% of all injections given) in 26 patients (38%). CONCLUSION: In our cohort, immunotherapy was accompanied by a high incidence of adverse systemic events during the induction phase. Immunotherapy should only be given by experienced staff in centres where there are facilities for resuscitation.
Authors: Suzanne C Morris; Charles Perkins; Crystal Potter; David Parsons; Richard Schuman; Marat V Khodoun; Unni Samavedam; Richard Strait; Fred D Finkelman Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2021-06-26 Impact factor: 14.290
Authors: Ervin Mingomataj; Alfred Priftanji; Etleva Qirko; Q Thai Dinh; Axel Fischer; Christian Peiser; David A Groneberg Journal: BMC Dermatol Date: 2002-08-30