Polistes species venom is devoid of carbohydrate-based cross-reactivity and allows interference-free diagnostics

Abstract

Allergy to venom of paper wasps (Polistinae) is common in North America as well as in Europe, especially in Mediterranean areas. The most important Polistes species in Europe are P dominula and P gallicus, whereas in Northern America other species such as P annularis, P apachus, P exclamans, P fuscatus, and P metricus are dominant. In the last few decades, P dominula has increasingly spread across the North American continent and the central and northern parts of Europe. This phenomenon has been suggested to be associated with environmental changes, explaining the increasing importance of Polistes venom allergy as a cause for anaphylactic Hymenoptera sting reactions.