Immunologic reactivity on one year follow-up of subjects without allergy to Hymenoptera stings.

ABSTRACT

We studied Hymenoptera stings in 72 pest-control operators without any previous systemic reactions to Hymenoptera stings, and investigated their venom-specific IgE levels in serial specimens collected over one year. At the initial evaluation, venom-specific IgE was present in 25 (34.7%) of 72 pest-control operators, and venom-specific IgE titer significantly decreased as the time interval from the last sting increased (p < 0.001). In most cases, venom-specific IgE disappeared less than 3 years after the last sting. On the other hand, the ratio of subjects with positive CAP for venom-specific IgE was significantly increased with an elevation of total serum IgE level (p < 0.001). After the one year follow-up, venom-specific IgE titer in the 25 subjects with positive CAP decreased significantly (p = 0.026). Total serum IgE level modified the decline significantly (p = 0.011), but the time interval from the last sting did not. In elevated total IgE level (>250 IU/ml), the decline of venom-specific IgE tended to be slow.