| Abstract: | Summary: Course criteria were evaluated in 50 patients receiving Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy (11 times honeybee and 42 times wasp) ≥ 3 years. Co‐morbidity included hypertension in 24 % of patients and non‐immunological thyroid dysfunction in 14 %. In one patient therapy had to be discontinuated because of a type‐III reaction to immunotherapy. Another 10 % of patients developed mild anaphylactic reactions after venom injections. Continuation of immunotherapy was possible under premedication with antihistamines. During immunotherapy 22 % of the patients had at least one re‐sting of the allergy inducing Hymeonoptera. Of these 6 % developed again an anaphylactic reaction grade I, in consequence the injection dose of venom was elevated for further immunotherapy. IgE values increased insignificantly at the beginning of immunotherapy and decreased significantly after 2 years of immunotherapy. A significant decrease of reactivity to skin prick and intracutaneous tests was already demonstrated after 1 year of immunotherapy. |
