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Epidemiology of Insect Venom Sensitivity
David B. K. Golden, MD;
David G. Marsh, PhD;
Anne Kagey-Sobotka, PhD;
Linda Freidhoff, MS;
Moyses Szklo, MD;
Martin D. Valentine, MD;
Lawrence M. Lichtenstein, MD, PhD
JAMA. 1989;262(2):240-244.
Abstract
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The prevalence of insect sting reaction and of venom sensitization in adults is unknown. We report the results of intake evaluation of a stratified random sample of a large adult population previously studied for the determinants of atopic disease. In 269 subjects, the prevalence of systemic allergic sting reactions was 3.3% and 26.5% had IgE antibodies to venom demonstrated by skin test or radioallergosorbent test. Asymptomatic sensitization (positive venom skin test) was observed in 15% of subjects with no history of an allergic sting reaction. Positive venom skin tests were more frequent in men, in those with positive skin tests to inhalant allergens, and in subjects aged 20 through 29 years. A positive venom skin test or radioallergosorbent test was more frequent in subjects who had been stung within the previous 3 years (35%) than in those stung more than 3 years before (20%). We conclude that both systemic allergic reactions to insect stings and asymptomatic sensitivity to venom are common and that most affected persons never seek medical advice. The significance of asymptomatic venom sensitization is unknown.
(JAMA 1989;262:240-244)
Author Affiliations
From the Division of Clinical Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine at The Good Samaritan Hospital (Drs Golden, Marsh, Kagey-Sobotka, Valentine, and Lichtenstein and Ms Freidhoff); and the Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health (Dr Szklo), Baltimore, Md.
Footnotes
Reprint requests to The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, The Good Samaritan Hospital, 5601 Loch Raven Blvd, Suite 402, Baltimore, MD 21239 (Dr Golden).
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