Yellow Hornet Research Articles

The Hymenoptera venom study I, 1979–1982: Demographics and history-sting data

The Hymenoptera venom study, a study based on case histories, skin test results and adverse reactions, immunotherapy and adverse reactions, and treatment efficacy, for 3236 Hymenoptera-allergic subjects, was begun in 1979 after the Food and Drug Administration approval of Hymenoptera venoms. Eighty-four Fellows and Members of the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology participated in the study. All subjects had a history of an adverse reaction to one or more Hymenoptera insects. The mean age was 30 1 2 years (range 1 to 83 years). Male subjects accounted for 61.5% and female subjects, 38.5%; 3.1% were beekeepers and 32.3% were atopic. Demographic data were similar for subgroups. There was an average of 2.7 history stings per subject. At least one systemic reaction (SR) was reported by 2866 subjects (89%); 2219 (69%) experienced an SR after their most recent sting before entry into the study, and 70% had experienced only a single SR. Moderate to severe SRs were equally likely after stings of yellow jacket, white-faced hornet, and yellow hornet (65%), honeybee (67%), or wasp (70%), although historical SRs were reported more often after stings of yellow jacket, white-faced hornet, or yellow hornet (30%) than after honeybee (19%) or wasp (14%) stings. No association was noted between the number of stings per episode and severity of the SR. Fifty-one percent of SRs were reported as occurring within 10 minutes of sting; however, the onset of a moderate to severe SR sometimes occurred at 301 or more minutes after a sting episode. Of 2219 subjects with an SR after their most recent sting before entry into the study, 68% received epinephrine for treatment.

Heat production by balling in the Japanese honeybee,Apis cerana japonica as a defensive behavior against the hornet,Vespa simillima xanthoptera (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

As an effective counterattack strategy against predacious hornets, especiallyVespa simillima xanthoptera, workers ofApis cerana japonica showed a distinct balling reaction, usually involving 180–300 bees. This produced heat for as long as 20 min, giving rise to temperatures inside the ball higher than 46°C, which is lethal to the hornet but not to the bees.

Venom skin tests in insect-allergic and insect-nonallergic populations

Intradermal skin tests with varying concentrations of honeybee, yellow jacket, white-faced hornet, yellow hornet, and Polistes venoms were done on 85 patients with histories of insectsting anaphylaxis and on 56 insect-nonallergic subjects. Positive skin tests (wheal ⩾ 5 to 10 mm and flare ⩾ 11 to 20 mm) were present in 67 insect-allergic patients at venom concentrations ranging from 0.001 μg/ml to 0.1 μg/ml. Seven additional allergic patients had positive skin tests with the 1.0 μg/ml venom concentration. Twenty-six nonallergic subjects had positive skin tests at the venom concentration of 1.0 μg/ml, and two patients had positive skin tests at the lower venom concentrations (0.001 to 0.1 μg/ml). These results confirm venom skin tests as a highly sensitive method of detecting venom-specific IgE in the evaluation of patients with stinging-insect hypersensitivity. Since a large percentage of insect-nonallergic subjects reacted to the 1.0 μg/ml concentration, clinical judgment and further in vitro testing should be considered in the evaluation of patients who react only at this venom concentration.

Comparison of the biochemical, immunologic and allergenic properties of vespid venoms collected in early and late summer

The biochemical, immunologic and allergenic properties of yellow hornet ( Vespula arenaria) and bald-faced hornet ( Vespula maculata) venoms collected in early and late summer were compared. The phospholipase A content of both hornet venoms decreased in late summer while protease, hyaluronidase and acid phosphatase contents were unchanged. The antigenic and allergenic properties of the two venoms, as measured by their reaction with rabbit antisera and sera from insect-allergic patients, respectively, were unchanged. These results suggest no changes in venom properties during the summer which influence the allergic response to insect stings.

Human immune response to hymenoptera venoms

Venoms from the five most common groups of stinging insects are potent antigens and allergens in man. Approximately 91% of beekeepers have IgE antibodies reacting with honeybee venom and about 76 % have significant levels of IgG antibodies reacting with bee phospholipase [1]. Similary, a large fraction of laboratory workers who handle venom and venom products develop IgE and IgG antibodies against venoms. The most common stinging insects in the United States are honeybees (Apis rnellifera), yellow jackets (Vespula spp.), yellow hornets (Dolichovespula arenaria), white-faced hornets (Dolichovespula rnaculata) and paper wasps (Polistes spp.). Each of these insects is found in much of the country, but the relative distributions are variable [2]. A significant fraction of those individuals who have IgE antibodies against hymenoptera venoms experience clinical reactions of varying severity. Systemic reactions include anaphylactic shock, hypotension, respiratory distress, urticaria, laryngeal edema as well as a variety of other symptoms. Another group of individuals experience large local reactions which consist of angioedema contiguous with the sting site extending at least 5 cm. During the last years several investigators

Comparison of the allergenicity and antigenicity of yellow jacket and hornet venoms

The immunologic properties of yellow jacket and hornet venoms were compared by measuring their reaction with rabbit antisera and human IgE and IgG antibodies. Anti-hornet venom rabbit serum showed precipitin bands unique to hornet venom and several bands crossreacting with yellow jacket venom. Anti-yellow jacket venom rabbit serum reacted with yellow jacket venom but failed to react with the hornet venoms. Most sera from patients who had had allergic reactions after vespid stings reacted with yellow jacket and hornet venoms in RAST analysis. A few sera reacted with only one of the venoms. RAST inhibition studies confirmed the crossreactivity of these IgE antibodies. The IgG antibody response of 14 patients was measured after yellow jacket venom immunotherapy. All had rising titers of yellow jacket venom-specific IgG. There was also an increase in the IgG antibody response measured with hornet venom in the majority of patients. The rise was significant with yellow hornet venom (p less than 0.02) but failed to reach significance with bald-faced hornet venom (p greater than 0.05). In IgG radioimmunoassay inhibition studies using yellow jacket venom-coupled discs, yellow jacket venom was considerably more potent than hornet venom. These studies indicate major crossreactivity between yellow jacket and hornet venoms. In this group of patients, yellow jacket venom appeared to be the primary allergen.

Evaluation of Hymenoptera-sting sensitivity with deliberate sting challenges: inadequacy of present diagnostic methods

We administered deliberate sting challenges to 21 patients, five of whom had histories of large local (LL) reactions and 16 of whom had previous systemic (SYS) reactions to stings. Eleven had been treated previously with whole-body extract, but none had received venom immunotherapy. Immediately before sting challenges with honeybees, wasps, yellow jackets, yellow hornets, and white-faced hornets, we performed skin tests and measured serum IgE antibody levels with venoms from these five insects. In addition, we measured IgG antibody levels to honeybee, yellow jacket, and white-faced hornet venoms. In the LL group, 14 21 skin tests were negative, but in the SYS group 30 34 skin tests were positive prior to the deliberate sting. IgE antibody levels (expressed as percent of binding compared with serum from a nonsensitive individual) ranged from 63% to 789% and 66% to 801% for the LL and SYS groups, respectively. IgG antibodies ranged from <5 to 332 U/ml, and levels were similar for the LL and SYS groups. Fifty-five sting challenges were administered; seven generalized reactions were induced and occurred only in the SYS group. Seven individuals (three LL, four SYS) who tolerated the first series of stings returned for a second series of sting challenges with the same insects. Of these seven, 10 15 skin tests were now positive in the LL group; 10 12 skin tests were now positive in the SYS group. IgE antibody levels ranged from 103% to 737% and 85% to 2389% for the LL and SYS groups, respectively, prior to the second series of sting challenges; IgG antibody levels were again similar in both groups. All repeat challenges were tolerated without generalized reactions. No in vitro or in vivo test predicted with certainty the clinical immune status of a sting-sensitive person.

Comparison of vespid venoms collected by electrostimulation and by venom sac extraction

Venoms of three vespid species, yellow jacket, bald-faced hornet, and yellow hornet, obtained by either electrostimulation or venom sac extraction were compared with regard to their enzymatic activity, antigenicity, and allergenicity. Phospholipase A, phospholipase B, and hyaluronidase enzymatic activities were present in all six preparations. The activity of venom sac extracts lay in the range found in different batches of venoms obtained by electrostimulation for each species. Analysis of sera from vespid-sensitive patients in the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with discs coupled with either venom sac extracts or venoms obtained by electrostimulation showed a good correlation of the results within all three species (r = 0.95). In RAST inhibition the potency of venom sac extracts and venom obtained by electrostimulation was similar for each species. Analysis of rabbit antisera to the six preparations revealed similar patterns in immunoelectrophoresis and identity reactions between the major antigens within each species. Tissue protein contamination was detected in all venom sac extracts but not in venoms obtained by electrostimulation.

Comparison of biochemical and immunologic properties of venoms from four hornet species

Venoms of two American hornets, Vespula maculata (bald-faced hornet) and Vespula arenaria (yellow hornet), and two Old World hornets, Vespa crabro and Vespa orientalis, were investigated for biochemical and immunologic properties. They were similar with regard to enzymatic activities (phospholipase A, phospholipase B, and hyaluronidase) and molecular composition. Analysis of radioallergosorbent test (RAST) results obtained from 30 vespid-sensitive patients suggests extensive cross-reactivity between the venoms of V. arenaria, V. maculata, and V. crabro, but the venom of V. orientalis seems to lack at least one important allergen. Rabbit antisera to each of the four venoms contain precipitating antibodies to all four venoms. Strong cross-reactivity was found between the venoms of V. maculata, V. arenaria, and V. crabro and between V. crabro and V. orientalis. V. orientalis venom cross-reacts weakly with the venoms of both V. maculata and V. arenaria. It is concluded therefore that diagnosis and immunotherapy with commercially available venoms of V. maculata and V. arenaria should be adequate for most patients sensitive to V. maculata, V. arenaria, or V. crabro but probably not for a significant proportion of those individuals primarily sensitive to V. orientalis.

Adaptation of the electrical stimulation procedure for the collection of vespid venoms

Venom was obtained from yellow hornets ( Dolichovepula arenaria), bald-faced hornets ( D. maculata) and yellow jacket species ( Vespula spp.) by modification of the electrical “milking” method. Usual venom yields were 20–40 mg per colony. These methods are a substantial improvement over previous techniques employed to obtain pure vespid venoms.

'Worker Piping': The Piping Sounds Produced by Laying and Guarding Worker Honeybees

SummaryIn queenless colonies, some laying workers emitted piping sounds with fundamental basic frequencies of about 350 Hz. The laying and piping workers were often attacked by other nest mates. Some guard workers sitting near the hive entrance also emitted piping sounds of 500–700 Hz during invasion by Vespa simillima. Compared with queen piping, laying-worker piping seems to be comparable to ‘quacking’ and guarding-worker piping to ‘tooting'.

Studies on peptides. LXXXIV. Synthesis of the tetradecapeptide amide corresponding to the wasp venom, mastoparan X.

The tetradecapeptide amide venom, mastoparan X, isolated from the Japanese hornet (Vespa xanthoptera), was synthesized by the methanesulfonic acid deprotecting procedure, employing m-cresol as a cation scavenger.

Corrections - Protein Allergens of White-Faced Hornet, and Yellow Hornet, and Yellow Jacket Venom

Corrections - Protein Allergens of White-Faced Hornet, and Yellow Hornet, and Yellow Jacket Venom

692 VENOM IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR INSECT HYPERSENSITIVITY

Twenty-five children with histories of hypotension, respiratory distress or a marked generalized cutaneous response following a sting by insects of the Hymenoptera order were selected after fully informed (familial) consent, for a trial of immunotherapy with insect venom. As indicated by venom skin tests, IgE antibody measurements and leukocyte histamine release, five were sensitive to only honeybee venom, thirteen to vespids (yellow jacket, white-faced hornet, yellow hornet) and seven to both species; each child was treated over 4-5 months by injections of each appropriate venom, reaching a maintenance dose, previously established in adults, of 100 μg. Routine toxicity studies were carried out, without significant abnormalities being noted. Radioimmunoassays for antibodies to honeybee venom phospholipase A and yellow jacket venom indicated that all children had an increase in IgG (5-25fold) which had usually peaked at the time of challenge. Three children were stung in the field by the appropriate insect without sequelae. The clinical protection of the remaining twenty children was assessed by deliberate sting by the appropriate insect(s) in an emergency room setting. Without therapy 12 reactions were expected; none were observed. This is the first study which shows that venom immunotherapy is well tolerated and clinically protects insect sensitive children.

Diagnosis of Hymenoptera hypersensitivity by skin testing with Hymenoptera venoms

This double-blind study provides evidence that skin testing with dialyzed Hymenoptera venoms is a more accurate, reliable method of diagnosing hypersensitivity to the sting of honeybee, yellow jacket, yellow hornet, white-faced hornet, and wasp than is skin testing with the corresponding whole body diagnostic allergenic extract. Furthermore, the incidence of false-positives was greatly reduced by using the dialyzed Hymenoptera venom (HDV) ∗ ∗ Center Laboratories, 35 Channel Dr., Port Washington, N. Y. diagonostic. In this clinical trial, most sensitive individuals had skin test reactions greater than the diluent control at concentrations of 1 μg/ml or below. Levels of venom diagnostic of 100 μg/ml appeared to produce nonspecific local irritation. Skin test with whole body diagnostic allergenic extract did not produce a consistent differentiation between sensitive and nonsensitive individuals. No untoward reactions were seen using the dialyzed Hymenoptera venom (HDV) diagnostic.

Immunologic comparison of phospholipases A present in Hymenoptera insect venoms

A comparative study was made of the effect of anti-bee venom phospholipase A 2 serum and antir-bald face hornet venom serum on the activity of phospholipase A 2 present in yellow hornet, yellow jacket, bald face hornet, and honeybee venoms. Activity of phospholipase A 2 present in the venoms was measured titrimetrically using egg yolk dispersion as the substrate. Antiserum against pure bee venom phospholipase A 2 activity completely suppressed bee venom phospholipase A 2 activity but failed to inhibit phospholipase A 2 activity in yellow jacket, yellow hornet, and bald face hornet venoms. Anti-bald face hornet venom serum suppressed the activity of phospholipase A 2 present in the four insect venoms with the inhibitory effect decreasing in the order: bald face hornet > yellow hornet > yellow jacket > honeybee. A combination of immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion techniques gave indication of common antigenic sites in a component of yellow hornet venom and a component of bald face hornet venom. The results suggest that IgG antibodies against pure bee venom phospholipase A 2 may not give any protection against the reaction(s) due to the phospholipase A 2 in yellow hornet, yellow jacket, and bald face hornet venoms, while antibodies against bald face hornet venom phospholipase A 2 may give some cross-protection.

Allergy to insect sting: III. Allergenic cross-reactivity among the vespid venoms

Recent reports have indicated that venoms may be more beneficial than whole body extracts for the diagnosis and treatment of Hymenoptera sensitive patients. These studies were undertaken to determine the cross-reactivity among the vespid venoms. Eighteen patients who were anaphylactically sensitive to vespid venoms were studied using in vitro leukocyte histamine release. The results (venom concentration for 50% histamine release) were analyzed by linear regression analysis; there was no allergenic cross-reactivity between any of the venoms, except for a modest association between yellow hornet and white hornet venom. In spite of this result 13 of the 18 patients studied were sensitive to three or four of the venoms tested. There is no clear explanation for this observation, but it suggests the existence of multiple major allergens in the vespid venoms, some of which are cross-reactive. Since immunotherapy with inappropriate proteins may lead to the development of IgE and the possibility of clinical sensitivity and since the majority of patients were not sensitive to all venom preparations, we suggest that appropriate diagnostic studies be carried out before the institution of therapy.

Reactions of anti-bee venom mouse reagins and other antibodies with related antigens.

Reaginic type antibodies, as well as gamma G1 and hemagglutinating antibodies were raised in mice following bee venom immunization. The optimal immunizing dose was 1 mug bee venom in 1 mg A1(OH)3 gel. All antibodies were specific for bee venom and failed to react to yellow jacket and hornet venoms or to bee, wasp, yellow jacket and hornet whole body extracts.

Effects of venoms on the squid giant axon

Tiger snake venom was the most potent of 9 venoms tested in its ability to render the squid giant axon reactive to d-tubocurarine (curare); its potency in this regard is about equal to that of cottonmouth moccasin venom which was the most potent venom previously found. Timber rattlesnake, sea snake, scorpion, and yellow hornet venom and a component from cobra venom referred to as neurotoxin were completely inactive. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that phospholipase A is the component of venoms responsible for reducing the permeability barriers, surrounding the excitable membrane of squid axons, to acetylcholine (ACh) and curare, thereby allowing them to interact with the ACh receptors in the conducting membrane and block electrical activity. Neuraminidase, saponin, arsenite, veratridine, NN-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and histamine failed to render the axon responsive to the action of curare. Venoms and the cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium remain as the only compounds found so far which are effective in altering the structural permeability barriers surrounding the excitable membrane of the squid giant axon.

DISC ELECTROPHORESIS OF HYMENOPTERA VENOMS AND BODY PROTEINS.

The venom proteins of honey bee, Polistes wasp, yellow hornet, and yellow jacket are similar but not identical. Extracts of venom sacs and whole insects contain several proteins not found in the pure venoms.