COMPARISON OF VESPULA-GERMANICA VENOMS OBTAINED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

This study was carried out to compare the allergenic potency of Vespul a germanica (VG) venoms extracted by different methods and commerciall y available venoms from Vespula species currently used for in vivo and in vitro studies including immunotherapy. Pure VG venom was used as t he reference material. Protein content and enzymatic and allergenic pr operties of all venoms studied were determined by dye stain reagent, h yaluronidase and phospholipase A(1)B enzyme activities, and radioaller gosorbent test inhibition studies, respectively. Radioallergosorbent t est discs sensitized with commercial and pure VG venom were compared u sing specific IgE antibodies from subjects allergic to VG venom. The d ata obtained indicate that there were important differences in the all ergenic potency between the Vespula species venoms employed for in viv o and/or in vitro assays, VG venom obtained by sac dissection, and pur e VG venom. These results indicate that venoms from Vespula species us ed for in vitro and in vivo tests have a lower concentration of allerg ens and contain nonvenom proteins. These data should be taken into acc ount when these vespid venoms are used for diagnostic purposes and als o when evaluating immunotherapy studies.