Hymenoptera venom skin testing: Adopting an accelerated test protocol.

Background: The standard method of Hymenoptera venom intradermal skin test is performed at a starting concentration of 0.001 to 0.01 μg/mL and increased by 10-fold concentrations until positive or a maximum concentration of 1 μg/mL.

Multisite evaluation of fire ant venom immunotherapy safety and efficacy.

Background: Imported fire ant (IFA) venom immunotherapy (VIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment reported to be effective at decreasing the risk of systemic reactions (SRs) to IFA stings.

Objective: Our aims were to determine the baseline rates of IFA sensitization in subjects, describe IFA VIT prescribing patterns across the military health system (MHS), and retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of IFA VIT.

Methods: We prospectively compared IFA sensitization in participants with and without an SR to flying Hymenoptera venom.

Combining Discordant Serum IgE and Skin Testing Improves Diagnostic and Therapeutic Accuracy for Hymenoptera Venom Hypersensitivity Immunotherapy.

Background: Diagnosis of patients with hymenoptera venom hypersensitivity consists of elucidating clinical symptoms suggestive of systemic reaction (SR) and then confirmation of sensitization via intradermal skin testing (IDST) first and serum IgE assays such as ImmunoCAP (ICAP) as a complementary modality of diagnosis.

Objective: Determine the concordance between ICAP and IDST in patients with a clinical history suggestive of hymenoptera venom SR. Determine whether venom immunotherapy would change on the basis of IDST versus ICAP results.

Treating SIRVA Early With Corticosteroid Injections: A Case Series.

Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) is defined as "shoulder pain with limited range of motion within 48 hours after vaccine receipt in individuals with no prior history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of the affected shoulder before vaccine administration." Corticosteroid injections (CSIs) have been proposed as a reasonable treatment modality for SIRVA, although evidence regarding efficacy is scanty. In this case series, we present two patients diagnosed with SIRVA who received CSI within 5 days of symptom onset and saw symptom resolution within 1 month.

Low Serum IgE Is a Sensitive and Specific Marker for Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID).

Although small prior studies have suggested that IgE can be low in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the workup for patients with recurrent infections and suspected hypogammaglobulinemia does not include the routine measurement of serum IgE. We sought to test the hypothesis that low/undetectable serum IgE is characteristic of CVID by comparing the frequency of low/undetectable serum IgE in healthy controls and patients with CVID. We measured total serum IgE in a large multi-center cohort of patients with CVID (n = 354) and compared this to large population-based cohorts of children and adults.

Association of allergy/immunology and obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive upper airway collapse that results in nonrefreshing sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and, ultimately, adverse consequences on quality of life, the cardiovascular system, and neurocognitive performance. OSA has traditionally been linked to body habitus (obesity and increased neck circumference), racial demographics, alcohol, tobacco, and sedative use. Numerous other conditions are linked to OSA, which may have clinical relevance.

Stinging the Conscience: A Case of Severe Hymenoptera Anaphylaxis and the Need for Provider Awareness.

Hymenoptera venom allergy accounts for approximately 17% of all cases of anaphylaxis. Insect stings are a common occurrence across the world, with significant impact on active duty personnel. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) provides an effective treatment for those with systemic reactions to insect stings and other similar indications.