Clinical Features of Bee Venom Allergy

Abstract

Background: There were a few reports about the clinical features of bee venom allergy in Korea, which had a limitation of small study subjects. Objective: The aim of the present study was to observe the clinical features of bee venom allergy and to evaluate the risk factors associated with severe systemic reactions. Methods: Fifty-two patients presenting local and systemic bee venom allergies were enrolled, and skin prick test was performed to determine atopy status. Serum specific IgE antibodies to causative bee venom (honeybee, yellow jacket, yellow hornet, white faced hornet, and paper wasp) were detected by immunoCAP or RIA. Results: Thirty-three patients (63.5%) were male and nine-teen patients (36.5%) were female. Local reaction was developed in nine (17.3%) patients and systemic reaction in fourty-three (82.7%) patients. Bee venom allergy was developed mainly in adults during summer, and the major causative allergen was honeybee. The presence of serum specific IgE to honeybee was significantly related with the development of severe systemic reaction (P=0.02). Severe systemic reaction was more common in males than in females (P<0.05). Conclusion: Honeybee sting and male gender are noted as significant risk factors for severe systemic reaction after bee sting in this country.