Abstract
Purpose Allergic reactions to Hymenoptera venoms represent potentially life-threatening conditions. However, studies on their prevalence in Germany and their relation to specific IgE sensitization are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Hymenoptera venom allergy as well as the frequency of venom-specific IgE sensitization in a large population-based adult German cohort.
Highlights
Stings by Hymenoptera species are very common; 56.6–94.5% of the general population have been stung at least once in their lifetime [1]
The prevalence of systemic sting reactions ranged between 2.3% and 2.6%. sIgE sensitization (≥0.35kUA/L) to honeybee venom (HBV) and yellow jacket venom (YJV) was demonstrated in 23.1% and 31.7% of the population, respectively (41.6% to HBV and/or YJV)
In this study we addressed sIgE sensitization to honeybee venom (HBV) and yellow jacket venom (YJV) of the participants of the population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) S4 baseline study (n = 4261)
Summary
Stings by Hymenoptera species are very common; 56.6–94.5% of the general population have been stung at least once in their lifetime [1]. In venom-allergic individuals already one sting can induce severe systemic reactions and even fatal anaphylaxis. The estimated number of annual mortalities ranges from 0.03–0.45 per one million inhabitants [1] This number could be underestimated as many fatal reactions following insect stings might remain undetected [3]. It was reported that in adults (>18 years) 48.2% and in children 20.2% of cases of severe anaphylaxis are caused by insect stings [4]. Of note, as these data are based on the reporting of physicians, many of whom are not familiar with the existence of such databases, this information might be strongly biased
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