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Adverse events associated with rush Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy
Author(s) -
Westall Glen P,
Thien Frank C K,
Czarny Dan,
O'Hehir Robyn E,
Douglass Jo A
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143242.x
Subject(s) - medicine , adverse effect , venom , anaphylaxis , allergy , immunotherapy , incidence (geometry) , sting , asthma , immunology , anesthesia , immune system , ecology , physics , engineering , optics , biology , aerospace engineering
Objectives To determine the incidence and nature of adverse events associated with the induction of rush Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. Design Retrospective descriptive case study. Setting The asthma and allergy unit at a major metropolitan teaching hospital, between 1 January 1989 and 30 June 1999. Patients All patients with anaphylaxis to stings of Hymenoptera insects who received rush venom immunotherapy as inpatients. Outcome measures Hypersensitivity reactions to venom administration, including angioedema, skin rashes, hypotension and asthma, as well as any other adverse events related to the inpatient slay. Results 68 venom‐allergic patients received 73 courses of rush immunotherapy; 89% were desensitised to honey bee venom, 10% to yellow jacket wasp venom, and one to paper wasp venom. Hypersensitivity reactions occurred after 36 subcutaneous injections (3.8% of all injections given) in 26 patients (38%). Conclusion In our cohort, immunotherapy was accompanied by a high incidence of adverse systemic events during the induction phase. Immunotherapy should only be given by experienced staff in centres where there are facilities for resuscitation.