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In vitro testing to diagnose venom allergy and monitor immunotherapy: a placebo-controlled, crossover trial
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 16:01 authored by Brown, SGA, Haas, MA, James BlackJames Black, Parameswaran, A, Gregory WoodsGregory Woods, Heddle, RJBackground: In people with a history of sting allergy, only prior reaction severity and older age are known to predict subsequent reaction risk. Furthermore, no diagnostic test other than a deliberate sting challenge has been found to identify people in whom venom immunotherapy (VIT) has been unsuccessful. Objective: We aimed to assess the utility of a number of in vitro tests to diagnose venom allergy and to monitor immunotherapy. Methods: During a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial of Myrmecia pilosula ant VIT the following venom-specific tests were performed at enrolment, and at completion of treatment prior to a diagnostic sting challenge; leucocyte stimulation index (SI), IL-4 production, IgE RAST, histamine release test (HRT), leukotriene release test (LRT) and basophil activation test (BAT). Intradermal venom skin testing (VST) was also performed at trial entry. Results: Only VST and HRT identified those at risk of sting anaphylaxis in the placebo group. Although IgE RAST, leucocyte SI and IL-4 production, LRT and BAT all correlated well with intradermal VSTs, they did not predict sting challenge outcome. After successful VIT, venom-induced leucocyte IL-4 production tended to fall, whereas IgE RAST increased and a natural decline in HRT reactivity was reversed. A confounding seasonal affect on laboratory results was suspected. Conclusion: The HRT warrants further assessment for diagnosis of venom allergy. Uninformative performance of the commercially available LRT and BAT tests may be due to pre-incubation with IL-3. None of the tests evaluated appear to be reliable markers of successful VIT.
History
Publication title
Clinical and Experimental ImmunologyVolume
34Issue
5Pagination
792-800ISSN
0954-7894Department/School
Tasmanian School of MedicinePublisher
Blackwell PublishingPlace of publication
Oxford, EnglandRepository Status
- Restricted