The Allergic Response to Stinging Insects: Biochemical and Immunologic Studies on Bee Venom and Other Bee Body Preparations

Abstract

Summary: Bee venom obtained by a method of electric shock contains a purer antigenic fraction than is found in extracts of dissected venom sacs, for the venom sac extract contains larger quantities of body antigen than is found in venom itself. Bee venoms from the United States, Mexico, England and Germany, seem to be antigenically identical. Bee venom contains only one prominent antigenic component, and this component is specific for venom. It could not be found in the body. Bee venom obtained by stinging contains body antigens in trace amounts that could be found only by hyperimmunizing rabbits and allowing the antisera to react with body extracts. The trace body components found in bee venom may originate in the excreta or other debris deposited on the nylon cloth by bees during the act of stinging.