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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022Venoms are a complex cocktail of biologically active molecules, including peptides, proteins, polyamide, and enzymes widely produced by venomous organisms. Through... (Review)
Review
Venoms are a complex cocktail of biologically active molecules, including peptides, proteins, polyamide, and enzymes widely produced by venomous organisms. Through long-term evolution, venomous animals have evolved highly specific and diversified peptides and proteins targeting key physiological elements, including the nervous, blood, and muscular systems. Centipedes are typical venomous arthropods that rely on their toxins primarily for predation and defense. Although centipede bites are frequently reported, the composition and effect of centipede venoms are far from known. With the development of molecular biology and structural biology, the research on centipede venoms, especially peptides and proteins, has been deepened. Therefore, we summarize partial progress on the exploration of the bioactive peptides and proteins in centipede venoms and their potential value in pharmacological research and new drug development.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Arthropods; Chilopoda; Peptides; Proteins; Venoms
PubMed: 35889297
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144423 -
Tanpakushitsu Kakusan Koso. Protein,... Mar 2001
Review
Topics: Agatoxins; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Apamin; Bee Venoms; Calcium Channel Blockers; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Insect Proteins; Molecular Sequence Data; Neurotoxins; Sodium Channels; Spider Venoms; Wasp Venoms
PubMed: 11268641
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology... Apr 2023Traveling to different regions, one might encounter a species to which they have a known allergy, or other related and unrelated species. A first-time systemic reaction... (Review)
Review
Traveling to different regions, one might encounter a species to which they have a known allergy, or other related and unrelated species. A first-time systemic reaction can occur while on vacation, even in those with previous asymptomatic stings. Three main groups of Hymenoptera are responsible for most sting reactions. Honey bee species are virtually identical around the world. Among social wasps (family Vespidae), the yellowjacket (genus Vespula and Dolichovespula) and hornet (genus Vespa) venoms have almost complete cross-reactivity, whereas paper wasp (genus Polistes) venoms show only partial cross-reactivity with other vespid venoms. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) confers 80% to 95% protection against related insects, though isolated species of paper wasps and yellowjackets exist in every country that may be distinct from the ones at home. Those allergic to imported fire ants (genus Solenopsis) in the United States should not react to other ant species around the world. Stinging ants belong to several unrelated subfamilies in different geographic regions, which do not have cross-reactive venom. The chances of encountering specific species of Hymenoptera at a traveler's destination vary by location, planned activities, and season. In this article, we discuss special considerations for traveling, including distribution of stinging insects around the world, risk factors for more severe reactions, ways to prepare for a trip, and when allergist examination or treatment may be helpful before travel.
Topics: Bees; Animals; Hymenoptera; Insect Bites and Stings; Wasps; Arthropod Venoms; Hypersensitivity; Wasp Venoms; Ants; Bee Venoms
PubMed: 36702244
DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.01.017 -
Expert Review of Clinical Immunology Jan 2018Allergy to Hymenoptera (Apis mellifera, Vespula species, Polistes species, Vespa crabro) venom can be safely and effectively treated by venom immunotherapy (VIT), which...
Allergy to Hymenoptera (Apis mellifera, Vespula species, Polistes species, Vespa crabro) venom can be safely and effectively treated by venom immunotherapy (VIT), which in the 40 years since its introduction has been able to prevent reactions to stings, and to treatment as well, though systemic reactions, occasionally severe, are possible. Areas covered: We reviewed the recent literature on VIT by searching in PubMed for the terms 'venom immunotherapy' and 'Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy' to highlight the current status of VIT and the likely development in the coming years. Expert commentary: VIT, provided the correct choice of the venom and adequate venom preparations and maintenance doses are used, is a treatment of great value in preventing systemic reactions to Hymenoptera stings. A 5-year duration ensures a prolonged tolerance to stings following VIT discontinuation, unless patients suffer from mastocytosis. In fact, due to reports of fatal reactions after stopping VIT, patients with mastocytosis, or with very severe reactions to stings, need an indefinite duration of treatment.
Topics: Allergens; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Hymenoptera; Hypersensitivity; Immune Tolerance; Insect Bites and Stings
PubMed: 29202591
DOI: 10.1080/1744666X.2018.1413350 -
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical... Aug 2007Venom skin tests constitute the cornerstone in establishing the diagnosis of venom allergy. In spite of their fundamental role, data regarding their reproducibility and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Venom skin tests constitute the cornerstone in establishing the diagnosis of venom allergy. In spite of their fundamental role, data regarding their reproducibility and variability are rather sparse. This paper is an overview of our current knowledge on the extent of variability in venom skin testing, the possible causes for this phenomenon and its clinical implications. It points out certain clinical situations in which this possible variability should be taken into account and anticipates potential venues of expanding our understanding of this debatable subject.
RECENT FINDINGS
A single recent study addressed the reproducibility of skin tests and serum venom-specific immunoglobulin E levels. Using a simple positive-negative or vice versa criterion for all three venoms examined on two different sessions, this study showed an overall 66% reproducibility of the skin test reactions and 59% reproducibility of the venom-specific immunoglobulin E assay results. According to an accompanying editorial, however, the validity of these results needs to be confirmed.
SUMMARY
Determination of the real magnitude of venom skin test variability is required. At present, in specific clinical situations, repeated skin tests and measurement of serum venom-specific immunoglobulin E should be considered before the initiation of venom immunotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Cross Reactions; Humans; Hymenoptera; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Insect Bites and Stings; Predictive Value of Tests; Reproducibility of Results; Skin Tests
PubMed: 17620827
DOI: 10.1097/ACI.0b013e3281f828f8 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Apr 2023
Topics: Humans; Animals; Anaphylaxis; Arthropod Venoms; Insect Bites and Stings; Mast Cells; Hymenoptera; Bee Venoms
PubMed: 36693538
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.01.009 -
Monographs in Allergy 1990
Review
Topics: Allergens; Amino Acid Sequence; Arthropod Venoms; Bee Venoms; Cross Reactions; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Molecular Sequence Data
PubMed: 2259349
DOI: No ID Found -
Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista... Jan 2010The only effective treatment for patients who have severe reactions after Hymenoptera stings is venom immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to review the literature... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE
The only effective treatment for patients who have severe reactions after Hymenoptera stings is venom immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to review the literature to assess the effects of venom immunotherapy among patients presenting severe reactions after Hymenoptera stings.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Randomized controlled trials in the worldwide literature were reviewed. The manuscript was produced in the Discipline of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Universidade de São Paulo (USP).
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials involving venom immunotherapy versus placebo or only patient follow-up were evaluated. The risk of systemic reactions after specific immunotherapy was evaluated by calculating odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
2,273 abstracts were identified by the keywords search. Only four studies were included in this review. The chi-square test for heterogeneity showed that two studies were homogeneous and could be included in a meta-analysis. By combining the two studies, the odds ratio became significant: 0.29 (0.10-0.87). However, analysis on the severity of the reactions after immunotherapy showed that the benefits may not be so significant because the reactions were mostly similar to or milder than the original reaction.
CONCLUSIONS
Specific immunotherapy should be recommended for adults and children with moderate to severe reactions, but there is no need to prescribe it for children with skin reactions alone, especially if the exposure is very sporadic. On the other hand, the risk-benefit relation should always be assessed in each case.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Bee Venoms; Chi-Square Distribution; Humans; Hymenoptera; Hypersensitivity; Immunotherapy; Insect Bites and Stings; Odds Ratio; Treatment Outcome; Wasp Venoms
PubMed: 20512278
DOI: 10.1590/s1516-31802010000100007 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Dec 2010Caterpillar envenomation has been an emergent health issue. Lonomia obliqua is a medically important animal that causes a hemorrhagic syndrome that can progress to acute... (Review)
Review
Caterpillar envenomation has been an emergent health issue. Lonomia obliqua is a medically important animal that causes a hemorrhagic syndrome that can progress to acute renal failure, intracranial hemorrhage and death. In the past few years the molecular characterization of L. obliqua venom in addition to experimental models has provided fundamental information to the understanding of the envenomation syndrome. Herein studies from several authors which characterized the complex toxic-pharmacological actions of whole venom are reviewed.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Arthropod Venoms; Blood Coagulation; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Hemolysis; Hemorrhagic Disorders; Humans; Insect Bites and Stings; Kidney; Larva; Models, Biological; Moths; Platelet Aggregation; Syndrome
PubMed: 20114060
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.01.013 -
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Jul 2020Stings of Hymenoptera of the superfamily Vespoidea such as yellow jackets, paper wasps or stinging ants are common triggers for severe and even fatal allergic reactions.... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Stings of Hymenoptera of the superfamily Vespoidea such as yellow jackets, paper wasps or stinging ants are common triggers for severe and even fatal allergic reactions. Antigen 5 allergens are potent allergens in the majority of these venoms with major importance for diagnosis and therapy. Reviewed here are the characteristics of antigen 5 allergens, their role in component-resolved diagnostics as well as current limitations of the available diagnostics for proper therapeutic decisions.
RECENT FINDINGS
Antigens 5 are proteins of unknown function in Hymenoptera venoms with high allergenic potency. They represent key elements in component-resolved diagnosis to discriminate between honeybee and vespid venom allergy. However, due to their pronounced cross-reactivity, there are remaining diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that have to be addressed. Antigens 5 are highly relevant venom allergens of the Vespoidea superfamily. Although their use in component-resolved diagnosis facilitates dissection of cross-reactivity and primary allergy in double sensitization to honeybee and vespid venom, new diagnostic concepts are needed to discriminate between allergies to different vespid species.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Wasp Venoms
PubMed: 32647993
DOI: 10.1007/s11882-020-00954-0