Hymenoptera venom allergy is a potentially life‐threatening allergic reaction following a honeybee, vespid, or ant sting. Systemic‐allergic sting reactions have been reported in up to 7.5% of adults and up to 3.4% of children. They can be mild and restricted to the skin or moderate to severe with a risk of life‐threatening anaphylaxis. Patients should carry an emergency kit containing an adrenaline autoinjector, H1‐antihistamines, and corticosteroids depending on the severity of their previous sting reaction(s). The only treatment to prevent further systemic sting reactions is venom immunotherapy. This guideline has been prepared by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology's (EAACI) Taskforce on Venom Immunotherapy as part of the EAACI Guidelines on Allergen Immunotherapy initiative. The guideline aims to provide evidence‐based recommendations for the use of venom immunotherapy, has been informed by a formal systematic review and meta‐analysis and produced using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) approach. The process included representation from a range of stakeholders. Venom immunotherapy is indicated in venom‐allergic children and adults to prevent further moderate‐to‐severe systemic sting reactions. Venom immunotherapy is also recommended in adults with only generalized skin reactions as it results in significant improvements in quality of life compared to carrying an adrenaline autoinjector. This guideline aims to give practical advice on performing venom immunotherapy. Key sections cover general considerations before initiating venom immunotherapy, evidence‐based clinical recommendations, risk factors for adverse events and for relapse of systemic sting reaction, and a summary of gaps in the evidence.
Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis affect approximately 30% of the U.S. population. Although allergic rhinitis has a clear definition and its pathophysiology has been thoroughly investigated, nonallergic rhinitis remains poorly defined and understood. There is consensus, however, that nonallergic rhinitis consists of a variety of heterogeneous conditions. In allergic rhinitis, the process of allergen sensitization involves the participation of antigen-presenting cells, T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes and depends on environmental allergen exposure. Sensitization results in the generation of allergen-specific IgE that circulates in the peripheral blood and attaches itself on the surface of all mast cells and basophils including those that home to the nasal mucosa. Subsequent nasal exposure to allergen activates these cells and, through the release of the classic mediators of the allergic reaction, produces acute nasal symptoms. Over a short period of time, these symptoms become indolent, whereas inflammatory and immune cell infiltrate, including eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, and monocytes, characterizes the late stages of the allergic response. In parallel, and probably as a result of the development of mucosal inflammation, the nose becomes primed to allergen and reacts more vigorously to subsequent allergen exposure but also becomes hyperresponsive to irritants and to changes in atmospheric conditions. In nonallergic rhinitis, several conditions may have been identified that are of interest for further research and phenotyping. These include a group of patients with apparent hyperresponsiveness of the C-fiber sensory nerves with no inflammatory changes in the nasal mucosa and a group with mucosal eosinophilia who may have allergic sensitization to common aeroallergens that is, however, manifested only in the nasal mucosa.
The CD203c basophil activation test seems to be a reliable tool in the diagnosis of grass pollen allergy. It could be used when conventional diagnostic tests fail or can not be performed.
This study shows that T cells and antibodies may show cross-reactivity between different species without being naturally exposed to sPLA2s.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.