Diagnosis of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy: State of the Art, Challenges, and Perspectives

Abstract

Hymenoptera venom allergy is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in adults and the second-most frequent in children. The proper diagnosis of this life-threatening allergy remains a challenge. This review focuses on the current knowledge regarding diagnostics of Hymenoptera venom allergy. The paper includes a brief description of the representatives of Hymenoptera order and the composition of their venoms. Then, diagnostic tests for allergy to Hymenoptera venom are described. Common diagnostic problems, especially double positivity in tests for IgE antibodies specific to honeybee and wasp venom, are also discussed. Special attention is paid to the search for new diagnostic capabilities using modern methodologies. Multidimensional molecular analysis offers an opportunity to characterize changes in body fluids associated with Hymenoptera venom allergy and yields a unique insight into the cell status. Despite recent developments in the diagnostics of Hymenoptera venom allergy, new testing methodologies are still needed to answer questions and doubts we have.

Correction: Matysiak et al. Diagnosis of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy: State of the Art, Challenges, and Perspectives. Biomedicines 2022, 10, 2170

“…In the original article [ 1 ], there was a mistake in Figure 2 Taxonomy of Hymenoptera as published. The figure shows pictures of members of the Vespidae family.…”

Características das reações anafiláticas por himenóptero em um hospital terciário entre 2016 e 2022

“…Reações fatais são raras, mas picadas de himenóptero causam 20% dos casos de fatalidades relacionadas à anafilaxia. Portanto, é uma alergia com risco de vida, e todos os pacientes que desenvolvem sintomas sistêmicos após a picada requerem um diagnóstico detalhado 2 .…”