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Serum sickness reaction following multiple insect stings
A H Lazoglu1, L R Boglioli, M L Taff
1Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
Background:
Anaphylaxis is the most common systemic allergic reaction caused by stinging insects. Serum sickness reactions occur much less frequently.
Objective:
To determine the level of venom-specific IgG and IgE antibodies during and after a serum sickness reaction to vespid venom.
Methods:
Case report; ELISA determination of venom-specific IgG and IgE; complement levels and tests for immune complexes were performed.
Results:
We report the case of a 66-year-old woman who developed a serum sickness reaction nine days after receiving multiple vespid stings. She developed urticaria, angioedema, fever, and arthralgias. She had elevated IgG and IgE venom-specific titers which declined during the recovery phase. Complement levels were normal and tests for immune complexes were negative. She was successfully treated with venom-specific immunotherapy without any serum sickness reaction.
Conclusions:
A serum sickness reaction with elevated venom-specific IgG and IgE is reported with successful immunotherapy.