Allergy Capital

Bee Venom Anaphylaxis Research Study

Version 6 January 2002

Links to more information about allergy to stinging insects

About Bee Venom Allergy

The Honey Bee is the commonest cause of allergic reactions in Australia.
Most bites and stings result in a localized itch and swelling that settles within a few days.

More severe allergic reactions can also occur, a condition known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include an all-over rash, swelling of tongue or throat, trouble breathing, gut cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting or even a drop in blood pressure.

Once allergy to bee venom is established, the tendency to have severe reactions usually persists.

Management of Allergic Reactions

First Aid. Bees usually leave their barbed sting in the skin and die. Flicking the sting out as soon as possible will reduce the amount of venom injected. Cold packs and soothing creams often help. Sometimes medicines like antihistamines are needed.
Patient with life-threatening (anaphylactic) reactions are usually advised to:

Seek urgent medical assistance
Carry injectable adrenalin to treat severe allergic reactions
Undertake a course of immunotherapy (desensitization) injections to "switch off" the allergic reaction over time. This is effective for the treatment of bee and wasp stings. Unfortunately, it usually means having a series of injections of purified honey bee venom, typically 80-100 over a period of 5 years.

About this Study

Dr. Raymond Mullins (Immunology/Allergy Specialist, Suit 6, John James Medical Centre, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin, Canberra, Australia) is participating in a multinational trial to assess the effectiveness of a new form of immunotherapy ("desensitisation") for patients with life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) to bee venom.Approximately 80 patients will be enrolled world-wide. The study, which has undergone appropriate institutional review, will be undertaken at John James Memorial Hospital January - Dec 2002. In order to be eligible for the study, patients:

must have suffered anaphylaxis (not milder reactions)

must be adults without major illness that might interfere with the study

must not have started or completed a course of bee venom immunotherapy in the past

must not be allergic to European Wasp (Yellow Jacket) or Paper wasp (Polistes)

will be excluded if they are taking certain medications, or if they are pregnant or breast-feeding

must be able to attend for treatment visits on a regular basis over the study period

must live within the ACT or surrounding area

After screening for suitability for the trial, patients will undertake 4 treatments, one month apart. The first treatment will take approximately half a day. The others will take approximately 3 hours. A total of 8 visits are involved over a period of 6 months. Tests will be done from time to time to assess the impact of treatment on the body's immune response to bee venom.

How to Contact us

If you think you may be a suitable candidate for the study, please register your interest by telephoning Dr Mullins' rooms on 02-6282 2689. Our trial coordinator will get back to you with further information. You can leave a message on "Message Bank" if the telephone is unattended. Alternatively, you can contact us by fax on 02-6282 2526, or by email.

Links to more information about allergy to stinging insects

These links to articles on stinging insect allergy are external to this web site

Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology