Wasp venom extracts

In 36 patients with a history of systemic reactions (grade III or IV according to Mueller) after exposure to a wasp sting, who were given immunotherapy with aluminium hydroxide-adsorbed wasp venom extract in an open retrospective study, a maintenance monthly depot of 50 000 SQU (50 micrograms) of venom was used (13). After the first year, the dose was injected every other month. Desensitization therapy was well tolerated. There were... 

The authors performed RAST inhibition to measure the relative potencies of the different venom extracts using the patient s serum as a source of IgE anti-venom. Although they initially suspected the new source of Polistes wasp venom, the relative potency tests showed greater variation in the honeybee venom. The IgG concentrations were consistent with this finding. This report emphasizes the care that must be taken with the preparation of each injection, especially when using a new batch of antigen. 

Techniques for the diagnosis of anaphylactic sensitivity to hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants, etc.) stings have been difficult to establish. Studies with commercially available whole body extracts of hymenoptera for skin testing were unable to discriminate between hypersensitive and control subjects. Use of hymenoptera venom skin tests clearly distinguishes between allergic and normal subjects and this venom was made available to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for further uses as a diagnostic material in 1976. ... 

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