Premium
Importance of serum basal tryptase levels in children with insect venom allergy
Author(s) -
Yavuz S. T.,
Sackesen C.,
Sahiner U. M.,
Buyuktiryaki B.,
Arik Yilmaz E.,
Sekerel B. E.,
Soyer O. U.,
Tuncer A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.12098
Subject(s) - interquartile range , tryptase , medicine , allergy , venom , basal (medicine) , envenomation , gastroenterology , logistic regression , sting , case control study , immunology , biology , mast cell , ecology , insulin , engineering , aerospace engineering
Background The importance of serum basal tryptase ( sBT ) levels on patients with venom allergy is highlighted in recent adulthood studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sBT levels of venom‐allergic children with varying severity of clinical reactions. We also aimed to document the association between sBT levels and severe systemic reactions ( SR ). Methods Serum basal tryptase levels were estimated by U ni CAP ( P harmacia & U pjohn, U ppsala, S weden). Children who suffered from large local reaction ( LLR ) or SR after insect stings were included along with healthy control subjects without a history of any local or SR after insect stings. Results A total of 128 children (55 with SR , 18 with LLR , and 55 age and sex‐matched control subjects) with a median age of 8.9 years (range 3.2–17.4) were enrolled. Severe SR was encountered in 24 (44%) patients with SR s. The median level of sBT in children with SR s (median, interquartile range) [4.2 μg/l (3.6–4.9)] was significantly higher than in children with LLR s [3.1 μg/l (2.5–4.0)] and healthy control subjects [2.9 μg/l (2.3–3.4)] ( P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed s BT ≥ 4.8 μg/l as a significant risk factor for severe SR (5.7 [1.5–21.4]; P = 0.01) in children with venom allergy. Conclusions Our results indicate that sBT levels are associated with a higher risk of severe SR in children with insect venom hypersensitivity. Determination of sBT levels may help clinicians to identify patients under risk of severe SR s and optimal and timely use of therapeutic interventions in children with venom allergy.