IN VITRO APPROACH TO PROBLEMS OF CLINICAL ALLERGY

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The purpose of this study is to further define what percentage of individuals with a positive history and skin test will react to a challenge sting, along with the question of whether a single sting is adequate. Another aspect of this study involves an attempt to determine parameters predictive of a reaction, so that challenge stings are no longer necessary. Most of these will be laboratory studies, which require only the drawing of blood. In conclusion, the benefits of this study are to monitor these reactions in a controlled clinical setting, to develop more accurate markers for insect sting allergy to detect the individuals who are susceptible to severe reactions, and to avoid unnecessary therapy in many patients. During the year 2005, we continued sting challenging insect allergic patients with positive venom skin tests and/or positive RAST blood testing. There were 4 deliberate sting challenges with the following groups: 2 were regular sting challenges, and 2 were skin test/RAST negative sting challenges. The sting challenge in the year 2005, consisted of 4 new patients in the primary. Of the 2 stings of the patients with positive skin test/histories, there was 1 with no systemic reactions, and 1 patient with a moderately severe reaction which were not life-threatening and was easily reversed with medications. This patient required Epinephrine treatment, haing a good response. Skin Test/RAST negative: During the year 2002, there were 2 patients who had sting challenges with 1 having no reaction and 1 a questionable reaction.