Anaphylaxis to insect sting associated with urticaria pigmentosa. 2003

Daniel C Kim, and Richard Horan
Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Harvard Medical School, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Anaphylaxis associated with insect stings has been reported to cause approximately 40 deaths per year in the United States. Immunotherapy with venom extracts is a well-established method of treatment of allergy to insect stings. The duration of therapy is based mainly on the initial symptoms and the presence or absence of systemic symptoms during therapy. Evaluation of immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G levels as well as repeat skin tests and sting challenges may also provide some additional benefit but are not as useful as the former two criteria. Patients with mastocytosis have a particularly increased risk for anaphylaxis after insect stings. There are many case reports of individuals first diagnosed with mastocytosis after an episode of anaphylaxis after an insect sting, in addition these patients tend to have more severe reactions as well as repeated episodes of systemic reactions during immunotherapy. Early diagnosis of mastocytosis and proper treatment can contribute greatly to the outcome in patients who present with venom allergy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006967 Hypersensitivity Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen. Allergy,Allergic Reaction,Allergic Reactions,Allergies,Hypersensitivities,Reaction, Allergic,Reactions, Allergic
D007167 Immunotherapy Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection. Immunotherapies
D007299 Insect Bites and Stings Bites and stings inflicted by insects. Insect Bites,Insect Stings,Bite, Insect,Bites, Insect,Insect Bite,Insect Sting,Sting, Insect,Stings, Insect
D008297 Male Males
D008415 Mastocytosis A rare neoplastic disorder characterized by a clonal proliferation of MAST CELLS, associated with KIT-D816 mutations, and accompanied by aberrant mast cell activation. The abnormal increase of MAST CELLS may occur in only the skin (MASTOCYTOSIS, CUTANEOUS), in extracutaneous tissues involving multiple organs (MASTOCYTOSIS, SYSTEMIC), or in solid tumors (MASTOCYTOMA).
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000707 Anaphylaxis An acute hypersensitivity reaction due to exposure to a previously encountered ANTIGEN. The reaction may include rapidly progressing URTICARIA, respiratory distress, vascular collapse, systemic SHOCK, and death. Anaphylactic Reaction,Anaphylactoid Reaction,Anaphylactoid Shock,Shock, Anaphylactic,Anaphylactic Reactions,Anaphylactic Shock,Anaphylactoid Reactions,Reaction, Anaphylactic,Reaction, Anaphylactoid,Shock, Anaphylactoid
D012882 Skin Tests Epicutaneous or intradermal application of a sensitizer for demonstration of either delayed or immediate hypersensitivity. Used in diagnosis of hypersensitivity or as a test for cellular immunity. Skin Test,Test, Skin,Tests, Skin
D014582 Urticaria Pigmentosa The most common form of cutaneous mastocytosis (MASTOCYTOSIS, CUTANEOUS) that occurs primarily in children. It is characterized by the multiple small reddish-brown pigmented pruritic macules and papules. Maculopapular Cutaneous Mastocytosis,Cutaneous Mastocytoses, Maculopapular,Cutaneous Mastocytosis, Maculopapular,Maculopapular Cutaneous Mastocytoses

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