Use of RAST Technique in Wasp Sting Hypersensitivity

Abstract

Clinical hypersensitivity to wasp stings was found to be fairly well correlated with the presence of serum IgE‐antibodies against yellow jacket venom as detected by the RAST technique. Such antibodies were never found in a control group of non‐allergic blood donors, but they were detected in a surprisingly large proportion of patients with bee sting allergy without known allergic reactions to wasps. Studies using RAST inhibition technique failed to prove cross‐reactions between bee and wasp venoms. Considerably better results were obtained when venom antigens instead of whole body antigens were used in the RAST, RAST inhibition studies suggested that IgE‐antibodies detected with RAST using whole body antigen are directed against bee venom constituents in the whole body extract.