“WASP ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?”

Figure 1- Wasp pollinating

“None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.” – Benjamin Franklin (1736)

What is Hymenoptera and why do we need to study about them?

Hymenoptera is an order of insects which are responsible for causing the most allergic reactions in human beings. Chances are that at some point in your life, you would have been stung by one of these insects. Examples of insects that fall under this category include bumblebee, wasp, stinging ant and yellow jackets. Of these, honey bees and yellow jackets are known to cause the most allergic reactions in human beings. [1] [2]

The allergic reactions are caused when the insect injects venom into a person’s skin, via its stinger. The amount of venom injected varies from one insect to the other and generates an IgE mediated reaction from the body as a defence mechanism. The venom composition consists of compounds with low molecular weight such as amines, melittin (peptide), mastoparan, proteins and phospholipase A. [3]

SYMTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION-

Redness Swelling Itching Breathing

issues Hives Nausea Diarrhea [4]

Figure 2- Redness

DID YOU KNOW?

There are in excess of 120,000 known

species of hymenoptera and they have been on earth for more than

200 million years

Figure 3- Epipen

What is Hymenoptera and why do we need to study about them?

Hymenoptera is an order of insects which are responsible for causing the most allergic reactions in human beings. Chances are that at some point in your life, you would have been stung by one of these insects. Examples of insects that fall under this category include bumblebee, wasp, stinging ant and yellow jackets. Of these, honey bees and yellow jackets are known to cause the most allergic reactions in human beings. [1] [2]

The allergic reactions are caused when the insect injects venom into a person’s skin, via its stinger. The amount of venom injected varies from one insect to the other and generates an IgE mediated reaction from the body as a defence mechanism. The venom composition consists of compounds with low molecular weight such as amines, melittin (peptide), mastoparan, proteins and phospholipase A. [3]

SYMTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION-

Redness Swelling Itching Breathing

issues Hives Nausea Diarrhea [4]

Figure 2- Redness

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DEVELOP AN ALLERGY?GO TO A DOCTOR ASAP!The diagnosis can be confirmed by-

Elevated total serum tryptase level to confirm systemic allergies.

Skin testing for IgE allergy before in-vitro testing

Whole body extract(WBE) testing in case of attacks by fire ants

IgE testing for specific venoms [7]

What is the science behind the development of an allergy?

The allergic reaction to the venom is due to the interaction between the allergens in the venom and the antibody IgE in the cells. The Th2 T cells are responsible for the activation of B cells and subsequent production of IgE. [3]

The allergen-IgE interaction results in the release of chemicals such as histamines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are responsible for the physical and chemical manifestations seen in the body. [5]

What are the treatment options available if I get stung by a wasp?

It is said that “prevention is better than cure”. This cannot be truer than in the case of our friends here, who usually only ever attack when provoked. However, accidents do happen, and these are your options if you get stung -

Removal of stinger as soon as possible Cold compress with an ice pack Administration of antihistamines and corticosteroids Epinephrine for anaphylaxis. This can be

administered through an Epipen. (Figure 3) [6]

REFERENCES1) Schumacher, M.J., Tveten, M.S. and Egen, N.B., 1994. Rate and quantity of delivery of venom from

honeybee stings. Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 93(5), pp.831-835.

2) Mayhew, P.J., 2007. Why are there so many insect species? Perspectives from fossils and phylogenies. Biological Reviews, 82(3), pp.425-454.

3) R Muller, U., 2011. Hymenoptera venom proteins and peptides for diagnosis and treatment of venom allergic patients. Inflammation & Allergy-Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets-Inflammation & Allergy), 10(5), pp.420-428.

4) Bilò, M.B., Cinti, B., Brianzoni, M.F., Braschi, M.C., Bonifazi, M. and Antonicelli, L., 2012. Honeybee venom immunotherapy: a comparative study using purified and nonpurified aqueous extracts in patients with normal Basal serum tryptase concentrations. Journal of allergy, 2012.

5) Schmidt, J.O., 1986. Allergy to Hymenoptera venoms. In Venoms of the Hymenoptera (p. 509). Academic Press London.

6) Portnoy, J.M., Moffitt, J.E., Golden, D.B., Bernstein, I.L., Berger, W.E., Dykewicz, M.S., Fineman, S.M., Lee, R.E., Li, J.T., Nicklas, R.A. and Schuller, D.E., 1999. Stinging insect hypersensitivity: a practice parameter. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 103(5), pp.963-980.

7) Vachová, M., Panzner, P., Malkusová, I., Hanzlíková, J. and Vlas, T., 2016, May. Utility of laboratory testing for the diagnosis of Hymenoptera venom allergy. In Allergy and asthma proceedings (Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 248-255). OceanSide Publications, Inc.