Honey bee venom allergy immunological studies of systemic and large local reactions

The IgE and IgG antibody responses to four allergen fractions of honey bee venom were studied in 13 sera from patients who experienced systemic reactions from bee stings and eight from those who experienced large locals. Both groups were similar in allergen response. IgE and IgG levels and ratios. A significant number of patients were found to have experienced both types of reactions from bee stings. It is proposed that IgE antibody positive systemic and large local reactions are both IgE mediated allergic reactions. The determining factors for reaction type include venom dose and sting site.