D R Hoffman1, R S Jacobson. 1. Department of Pathology, East Carolina University, School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27858-4354, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Allergic reactions to bumblebee stings are much less common than allergic reactions to honeybee stings. Preliminary studies suggest that there may be a high degree of cross-reactivity between honeybee and bumblebee venoms. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to determine the immunochemical and structural relationships between bumblebee and honeybee venom allergens. METHODS: Allergens were purified from bumblebee venom and compared immunochemically with sera from patients with allergy and hyperimmunized rabbits. The purified proteins were characterized, enzyme activities were measured, and the complete amino acid sequences of two proteins were determined. RESULTS: The venoms wer highly cross-reactive, consistent with the degree of structural similarity in the phospholipases. Hyaluronidases and acid phosphatases were also similar. Bumblebee venom contained several proteins not found in honeybee venom, including an interesting tryptic amidase related to clotting enzymes and acrosin. CONCLUSION: Skin testing with honeybee venom will detect almost all cases of bumblebee venom allergy, however; RAST with bumblebee venom can detect some additional cases.
BACKGROUND: Allergic reactions to bumblebee stings are much less common than allergic reactions to honeybee stings. Preliminary studies suggest that there may be a high degree of cross-reactivity between honeybee and bumblebee venoms. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to determine the immunochemical and structural relationships between bumblebee and honeybee venom allergens. METHODS: Allergens were purified from bumblebee venom and compared immunochemically with sera from patients with allergy and hyperimmunized rabbits. The purified proteins were characterized, enzyme activities were measured, and the complete amino acid sequences of two proteins were determined. RESULTS: The venoms wer highly cross-reactive, consistent with the degree of structural similarity in the phospholipases. Hyaluronidases and acid phosphatases were also similar. Bumblebee venom contained several proteins not found in honeybee venom, including an interesting tryptic amidase related to clotting enzymes and acrosin. CONCLUSION: Skin testing with honeybee venom will detect almost all cases of bumblebee venom allergy, however; RAST with bumblebee venom can detect some additional cases.
Authors: Young Moo Choo; Kwang Sik Lee; Hyung Joo Yoon; Bo Yeon Kim; Mi Ri Sohn; Jong Yul Roh; Yeon Ho Je; Nam Jung Kim; Iksoo Kim; Soo Dong Woo; Hung Dae Sohn; Byung Rae Jin Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-05-03 Impact factor: 3.240