Side effects of specific immunotherapy in patients with hymenoptera venom allergy
Lata, J.; Specjalski, K.; Kołaczkowska, M.; Chełmińska, M.; Niedoszytko, M.; Jassem, E.
Pneumonologia i Alergologia Polska 73(3): 260-263
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0867-7077 PMID: 16989163 Document Number: 589561
The aim of this study was to estimate safety of specific immunotherapy to insects' venom. The frequency of side effects was compared in two groups of patients: subjects with hypersensitivity to insects' venom only and patients with allergy to other allergens. In the examined group of 32 patients with Hymenoptera venoms allergy skin prick tests with common aeroallergens were performed in 30 subjects. In 18 patients (60%) at least one test was positive. In 23 patients (71.9%) immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom was connected with side effects observed just after administration of vaccine. They were mainly local reactions (itching, redness and oedema). In 6 patients late reactions were observed. No correlation has been found between frequency of side effects of immunotherapy and positive results of skin prick tests. However systemic reactions were revealed only in the group of patients with at least one positive result of skin prick tests.