Anaphylaxis to Australian native ant venoms; major allergens, cross-reactivity, diagnosis and risk assessment.

昆虫毒液过敏是该国危及生命的过敏（过敏反应）的主要原因，在某些地区，本地蚂蚁是最常见的原因。对于引进的昆虫（蜜蜂和黄蜂），毒液提取物可广泛用于诊断和治疗用途，但对于本地蚂蚁来说还不是这样。多达50，000名澳大利亚人可能会受到本地Myrmopaly属蚂蚁叮咬的过敏反应的影响。该项目将提供对澳大利亚过敏反应的蚂蚁物种的深入了解。我们将开发一系列诊断测试模块，详细的国家致病物种地图，以及一组参考毒液和过敏血清，以便确保准确的诊断测试，并为人类提供高质量的毒液提取物（免疫疗法）。我们还将对过敏志愿者进行长达五年的研究，以确定哪些人重复刺痛和反应的风险最高，从而最有可能从脱敏中受益。目前的证据表明，天然昆虫毒液过敏的最常见原因可能是jack jumper ant Myrmagnesia pilosula，已经开发了一种脱敏毒液提取物，并显示出在预防危及生命的反应方面非常有效。本申请中描述的研究将使医生能够确保准确的诊断，这是在为jack jumper过敏提供脱敏治疗之前的重要步骤。另一大群人可能对较大的Myrmendi过敏，称为公牛狗蚁或英寸蚁。我们的研究结果方面的交叉反应模式和毒液的相似性将使我们能够确定一个最佳的治疗混合物的公牛狗蚂蚁毒液，从而使我们能够提供治疗的人过敏，这些蚂蚁以及。

Insect venom allergy is a major cause of life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) in this country, and native ants are the most frequent cause in some regions. For introduced insects (bees and wasps), venom extracts are widely available for diagnostic and therapeutic use, but this is not yet the case for native ants. As many as 50,000 Australians may be affected by allergy to stings from ants in the native genus Myrmecia. This project will provide an in-depth understanding of the ant species responsible for anaphylaxis in Australia. We will develop a range of diagnostic test modules, a detailed national map of causative species, and a panel of reference venoms and allergic sera, so that accurate diagnostic tests can be assured, and so that high quality venom extracts can be provided for human use (immunotherapy). We will also study allergic volunteers for up to five years, so as to determine which people are at the highest risk of repeated stings and reactions and thus most likely to benefit from desensitisation. Current evidence suggests that the commonest cause of native insect venom allergy may be the jack jumper ant Myrmecia pilosula, for which a desensitising venom extract has been developed and shown to be highly effective in preventing life threatening reactions. The research described in this application will enable doctors to ensure an accurate diagnosis, which is an essential step before desensitising treatment can be offered for jack jumper allergy. Another large group of people are probably allergic to larger Myrmecia known as bull dog ants or inch ants. Our results with regard to cross-reactivity patterns and venom similarities will enable us to determine an optimum therapeutic mixture of bull dog ant venoms and thus enable us to provide treatment for people allergic to these ants as well.