Update on Insect Sting Anaphylaxis

This review describes improvement in diagnostic accuracy, prediction of outcomes, identifying high-risk factors, and refinements of treatment that continue to evolve over the past 5-10 years.

The risk of anaphylaxis is relatively low (< 5%) in patients with previous large local reactions or strictly cutaneous systemic reactions, but much higher in those with moderate-to-severe anaphylaxis (40%-70%) or mastocytosis (> 90%). Use of recombinant venom allergens and basophil activation tests may improve diagnostic accuracy. Elevated serum tryptase (and possible mastocytosis) occurs in 10% of patients with insect sting allergy, and in 25% of those with hypotensive reactions. Rush VIT is proven safe and rapidly effective. There are known high-risk factors that justify treatment beyond 5 years. Diagnostic accuracy and prediction of risk have improved in recent years. There are still knowledge gaps related to prediction and management of risk with current diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.