IGE ANTIBODIES TO HYMENOPTERA VENOMS IN THE SERUM ARE COMMON IN THE GENERAL-POPULATION AND ARE RELATED TO INDICATIONS OF ATOPY

Determination of Hymenoptera venom (HV)-specific serum IgE antibodies is a useful diagnostic method in patients with systemic anaphylactic r eaction (SAR) to Hymenoptera stings. In a general population cohort, w e determined the prevalence of SAR and HV-specific IgE antibodies and assessed parameters associated rsith the latter, A total of 277 volunt arily participating inhabitants of rural Bavaria (Germany) (232 adults , mean age 38.0 years, 45 children, mean age 8.4 years) were investiga ted for a history of atopic disease or SAR to insect stings; in 258 of these, total IgE and specific IgE antibodies to HV (Apis mellifera, V espula vulgaris/germanica) and four common aeroallergens (birch pollen , grass pollen, house-dust mite, and cat dander) in the serum were det ermined. Nine (3.3%) subjects reported SAR to insect stings. In 27.1% of the sera, specific LE antibodies to HV were found, to bee venom in 24.8%, and to wasp venom in 8.5% (P < 0.0001). Of those exhibiting HV- specific IgE, 7.1% reported SAR to insect stings. A personal history o f atopic disease (hay fever, asthma, or atopic eczema) was present in 16.7%, specific IEE to common aeroallergens was found in 32.6%, and to tal IgE > 100 kU/1 was found in 22.5%. Specific serum IgE to HV tvas s ignificantly associated with male sex (female us, male, OR=0.47; CI 0. 25-0.86), young age (children vs. adults, OR=2.80; CI 1.25-6.28), a hi story of SAR to insect stings (OR=4.16; CI 1.15-15.03), total sIgE> 10 0 kU/1 (OR=3.88; CI 1.98-7.60), and specific IEE antibodies to three o f the four aeroallergens (grass pollen, OR=7.24 CI 3.66-14.38; birch p ollen, OR=3.67 CI 1.54-8.81; and house-dust mite, OR=4.61 CI 2.08-10.3 2). It is concluded that immunologic sensitization to HV is common in the general population and is associated with atopy-related humoral Ig E hyperresponsiveness.