Diagnosis of hymenoptera sting hypersensitivity. A comparison between case history, skin test results and specific IgE (RAST) with venon extracts
Wüthrich, B.; Wick, H.; Crass, B.; Wyss, S.
Schweizerische Rundschau für Medizin Praxis 70(21): 934-943
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 1013-2058 PMID: 7243729 Document Number: 170326
Skin tests and RAST using honeybee and vespid venoms were carried out on 131 patients known to be allergic to a hymenopteran sting, and on 20 controls. Only 1 control gave a positive result (in 1 test.). Results for 31 of the allergic patients who had been treated with whole-body extracts were the same as for 100 patients who had not had immunotherapy. For honeybee venom there was 83% overall correspondence between skin tests and RAST, but only 54% for vespid venom. Of skin tests, 75% were positive; for RAST, 51%. However, considerably more positive RAST results were obtained if the serum was tested within 6 months of the last sting. No statistical relationship could be found between skin test and RAST, nor between either test and the degree of clinical reaction.Author.