Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hym.: Vespidae), Venom Obtention Based on an Electric Stimulation Protocol

The yellow-legged Asian hornet (Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)) is naturally distributed in China, Southeast Asia, and India; however, recently it has been detected outside of its native area, confirmed as being established in South Korea, Europe, and Japan. Health risks and deaths caused by the invasive Vespa velutina stings have become a public health concern, being the most common cause of anaphylaxis due to hymenopterans in some European regions. This in turn has led to increased demand from medical practitioners and researchers for Vespa velutina venom for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this study, a straightforward, quick, and inexpensive method for obtaining Vespa velutina venom by electric stimulation is described. The venom extracts were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR). The availability of Vespa velutina venom will lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods, mainly by venom immunotherapy (VIT), in patients allergic to this invasive species.

Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hym.: Vespidae), Venom Obtention Based on an Electric Stimulation Protocol

The yellow-legged Asian hornet (Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)) is naturally distributed in China, Southeast Asia and India; however it has since detected outside of its native area, confirmed as being established in South Korea, Europe and Japan. Health risks and deaths caused by the invasive Vespa velutina stings have become a public health concern, being the most common cause of anaphylaxis due to hymenopterans in some European regions. This in turn has led to increased demand from medical practitioners and researchers for Vespa velutina venom for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this study, a straightforward, quick and inexpensive method for obtaining Vespa velutina venom by electric stimulation is described. The venom extracts were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), confirming the composition of the obtained material. The availability of Vespa velutina venom will lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods, mainly by venom immunotherapy (VIT), in patients allergic to this invasive species.

JESSNER LYMPHOCYTIC INFILTRATE POST COVID VACCINATION

Jessner-Kanof lymphocytic inltrate is a rare benign chronic T cell inltrative disease characterized by multiple tumid erythematous papules,plaques and nodules predominantly on sun exposed sites like face, neck and upper back. Etiology of Jessner lymphocytic inltrate is unknown but autoimmunity, Borrelia burgdorferi infection may have a possible role. There is a case report of Jessner lymphocytic inltrate after third dose of bee venom immunotherapy in hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis. Here,we report a case of 27 year married female who presented with multiple erythematous plaques and few nodules on face ,neck and upper back after 2 days of second dose of covishield vaccine. Clinical and histopathological correlation conrmed the diagnosis of Jessner-Kanof lymphocytic inltrate. Skin biopsy revealed dense perivascular and periadnexal lymphocytic inltrates in the dermis. Dermatological manifestations with covid vaccines are few in clinical volunteers but have been increasing since mass vaccination has started. A few side effects like urticaria , erythema and edema at injection site, pityriasis rosea, covid toes, systemic lupus erythematosus,rheumatoid arthritis have been reported after covid vaccination.

Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy: Immune Mechanisms of Induced Protection and Tolerance

Hymenoptera venom allergy is one of the most severe allergic diseases, with a considerable prevalence of anaphylactic reaction, making it potentially lethal. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge and recent findings in understanding induced immune mechanisms during different phases of venom immunotherapy. We focus on protection mechanisms that occur early, during the build-up phase, and on the immune tolerance, which occurs later, during and after Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. The short-term protection seems to be established by the early desensitization of mast cells and basophils, which plays a crucial role in preventing anaphylaxis during the build-up phase of treatment. The early generation of blocking IgG antibodies seems to be one of the main reasons for the lower activation of effector cells. Long-term tolerance is reached after at least three years of venom immunotherapy. A decrease in basophil responsiveness correlates with tolerated sting challenge. Furthermore, the persistent decline in IgE levels and, by monitoring the cytokine profiles, a shift from a Th2 to Th1 immune response, can be observed. In addition, the generation of regulatory T and B cells has proven to be essential for inducing allergen tolerance. Most studies on the mechanisms and effectiveness data have been obtained during venom immunotherapy (VIT). Despite the high success rate of VIT, allergen tolerance may not persist for a prolonged time. There is not much known about immune mechanisms that assure long-term tolerance post-therapy.

Bee Venom Allergy in Chinese Beekeepers and Patients Under Live Bee Apitherapy

Background: Hymenoptera stings are one of the common causes of anaphylaxis. The prevalence of systemic allergic reactions seems to be higher in highly exposed populations such as beekeepers and individuals receiving live bee acupuncture (LBA). However, there are a very few of studies on venom allergy in these populations. We performed two observational studies to describe the characteristics and risk factors of venom allergy in beekeepers and the LBA population.Methods: A total of 99 beekeepers and 127 individuals receiving live bee acupuncture were interviewed. Skin prick tests were performed on subjects with suspected bee venom allergy.Results: The prevalence of bee venom allergy was 34.3% among beekeepers and 29.0% in the LBA population. Systemic reactions occurred in 11.3% of the LBA population, and 28.3% of beekeepers. For beekeepers with exposure to 2-4 stings per year and ≥5 stings per year, the risk for developing venom allergy increased to 6.745-fold (95% CI 2.139-21.266) and 42.297-fold (95% CI 7.060-253.399) respectively, compared to the ≤1 sting per year group. Conversely, in the LBA population, compared to frequency ≤2 LBA stings per week, the adjusted OR of venom allergy was 0.281 (95% CI 0.075-1.047) and 0.166 (95% CI 0.045-0.612) for frequency 3-6 LBA stings per week and ≥7 stings per week respectively. The knowledge of adrenaline and venom immunotherapy was limited in both beekeepers and traditional doctors.Conclusion: The frequency of stings with high risk for bee venom allergy was >4/year in beekeepers and <3/week in the LBA population. The education on anaphylaxis management should be strengthened.