Serum sickness reaction following multiple insect stings
Lazoglu, A.H.; Boglioli, L.R.; Taff, M.L.; Rosenbluth, M.; Macris, N.T.
Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Official Publication of the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology 75(6 Pt 1): 522-524
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 1081-1206 PMID: 8603283 Document Number: 449028
Anaphylaxis is the most common systemic allergic reaction caused by stinging insects; serum sickness reactions occur much less frequently. The case is reported from New York, USA, of a 66-year-old woman who developed a serum sickness reaction 9 days after receiving multiple stings of unidentified vespids (presumed to be yellow jackets [Vespula or Dolichovespula]). She developed urticaria, angioedema, fever and arthralgias. She had elevated IgG and IgE venom-specific titres which declined during the recovery phase. Complement levels were normal and tests for immune complexes were negative. She was successfully treated with venom-specific immunotherapy without any serum sickness reaction.