Diagnosis of Vespa affinis venom allergy: use of immunochemical methods and a passive basophil activation test

Gunasekara, Peshala; Handunnetti, Shiroma; Premawansa, Sunil; Kaluarachchi, Pradeep; Karunatilake, Chandima; Ratnayake, Indra P.; Dias, R.K.S.; Premakumara, G. A. S.; Dasanayake, W.M.D.K.; Seneviratne, Suranjith L.; Silva, Rajiva de

doi:10.1186/s13223-019-0394-6

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Passively immune basophils were prepared according to a method developed and used by us [ 30 ] and others [ 32 ]. An aliquot of 100 µL heparinized whole blood from a healthy donor was used in each test sample.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An aliquot of 100 µL heparinized whole blood from a healthy donor was used in each test sample. IgE in donor basophils was removed as described in our previous study [ 30 ]. Briefly, using 500 µL of Sodium lactate solution (14 mM Sodium lactate, 145 mM of NaCl and 6 mM KCl), each basophil sample was incubated for 15 min.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two studies had shown that basophils from one individual could have their surface IgE replaced by IgE from a different donor [ 28 , 29 ]. We have recently evaluated the use of a passive BAT in diagnosis of V. affinis (a hornet species which is native to Sri Lanka) [ 30 ]. However, the passive BAT concept has still not been tested in honeybee venom allergies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diagnosis of Apis dorsata venom allergy: use of recombinant allergens of Apis mellifera and a passive basophil activation test

et al. 2022

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Background Allergy to Apis dorsata (Giant Asian Honeybee) venom is the commonest insect allergy in Sri Lanka and South East Asia. However, laboratory diagnosis is difficult as the pure venom and diagnostic reagents are not commercially available. Objective This study assessed the use of four recombinant allergens of A. mellifera venom and the passive basophil activation test in the diagnosis of A. dorsata venom anaphylaxis. Methods Serum IgE levels to four recombinant allergens of A. mellifera, rApi m 1, 2, 5 and 10 were assessed and compared with serum IgE to the crude venom of A. mellifera or V. vulgaris by Phadia ImmunoCAP, in patients who developed anaphylaxis to A. dorsata stings. Basophil activation in response to venom of A. dorsata or V. affinis was assessed using a passive basophil activation test. Association of the severity of the reaction with basophil activation was compared. Results rApi m 1 and 10 combinedly had significant correlation (r = 0.722; p < 0.001) with the crude venom of A. mellifera (Western honeybee) and a higher positivity rate of 90% (27/30). Whereas, IgE reactivity to rApi m 2 or 5 had significant correlation (p = 0.02 and p = 0.005 respectively) with V. vulgaris crude venom. All 30 (100%) were positive to A. dorsata venom in passive BAT; 70% (21/30) had over 80% activation, 96.7% (29/30) had over 60% activation and 100% had over 50% activation. Percentage activation of basophils in patients who had mild or moderate reactions (n = 20) was significantly low (p = 0.02) from that of patients who had severe reactions (n = 10). Conclusions rApi m 1 and 10 when combined was sensitive for the diagnosis of A. dorsata allergy. This combination had the lowest cross-reactivity rate with Vespula vulgaris. The passive BAT is highly sensitive in A. dorsata allergy. The basophil reactivity was significantly higher in severe anaphylaxis compared to mild/moderate anaphylaxis. This finding should be further explored in further studies.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diagnosis of Apis dorsata venom allergy: use of recombinant allergens of Apis mellifera and a passive basophil activation test

et al. 2022

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“…In the Southeast Palaearctic regions, where their density is high, tens of thousands of stings occur annually ( Xuan et al, 2010 ; Xie et al, 2013 ; Tan, Van Achterberg & Chen, 2015 ; Choi, Kim & Kwon, 2019 ; Gunasekara et al, 2019 ). In Korea, China and Japan, in particular, as the number of Vespa species in densely populated urban areas has increased, there has been a rapid escalation in the stinging incidents attributable to these wasps ( Choi, Kim & Lee, 2012 ; Choi, Martin & Lee, 2012 ; Tan, Van Achterberg & Chen, 2015 ; Azmy, Hosaka & Numata, 2016 ; Choi, Kim & Kwon, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defensive behavior of the invasive alien hornet, Vespa velutina, against color, hair and auditory stimuli of potential aggressors

Choi

Hong

Kwon

2021

PeerJ

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Background During recent years, invasion of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) has occurred in Europe, Korea and Japan, and stinging accidents often occur as some V. velutina nests are in places where humans can reach them. Misleading information regarding precautionary measures for mitigating wasp attacks has only exacerbated the situation. In this study, we sought to identify appropriate countermeasures by analyzing wasp defensive behavior, with a focus on color, hair and auditory stimuli. Methods Defensive behavior was analyzed using video recordings by creating an experimental frame to attach experimental bundles to nine V. velutina nests in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, South Korea. For the color experiment, eight-color and single-color tests were conducted with bundles of eight colors (black, brown, yellow, green, orange, gray, red and white), and the difference in defensive behavior was tested between black hair/hairless and green hair/black hairless configurations. Results When presented simultaneously with bundles of eight different colors, V. velutina showed the greatest and the longest defensive behavior against the black bundle, followed by brown. A similar response was observed in single-color tests. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the defensive behavior against black hair and black hairless, but the duration of defensive behavior was longer for black hair. A comparison between green hair and black hairless stimuli indicated that wasps are more sensitive to color than to hair texture. Vespa velutina showed no discernible responses when exposed to selected auditory stimuli (human conversation and loud music). Dark colors and dark hair are characteristic features of potential predators, to which wasps are evolutionarily predisposed, and are accordingly likely to provoke strong defensive responses. The results of this study provide scientifically credible information that can be used to base appropriate precautionary measures against wasp attacks.

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“…When people touch or threaten the nests, wasps immediately react defensively, and people can be seriously injured. In fact, where social wasp diversity is high worldwide, many people have been injured or even killed by social wasps (Chang 1988;Vetter et al 1999;Ono et al 2003;Sharma et al 2006aSharma et al , 2006bFriedman et al 2010;Xuan et al 2010;Xie et al 2013;Tan et al 2015;Azmy et al 2016;Choi et al 2019;Gunasekara et al 2019). While wasps inhabiting forests have had their habitats reduced due to climate change or forest loss and their abundance or diversity has decreased, in recently urbanized areas and green zones, such as parks, wasp abundance has increased.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defensive behavior of the invasive alien hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax against potential human aggressors

Choi

2021

Entomological Research

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In areas where wasps are common, many wasp sting incidents occur. However, guidance on the correct response to wasp attacks remains lacking. In this study, behavioral response experiments were conducted with the aim of minimizing damage from group wasp attacks. The study species was Vespa velutina, which frequently causes wasp sting injuries in the southern regions of South Korea. Results demonstrated that worker wasps showed defensive behavior when a person approached within 3 m of the nest, and the attack rate was higher when the person conducted a large arm swing. When a person walked away after touching a nest, the number of workers attacking did not significantly decrease until they reached 5 m, this reduced to less than half when the person reached 10 m. Approximately 1.3 workers attacked even up to 300 m. However, when the person ran, the number of workers attacking was almost one or less after 10 m. Therefore, it is best to escape quickly to at least 10 m to reduce injury from group attacks. When wasps attacked, even if the person crouched, the attack did not decrease. Our recommended defensive behavior when wasps attack unexpectedly is that victims should turn their face in the opposite direction to the nest or the wasps, protect their face with their hands and arms, lean forward and run away rapidly to minimize injury. Wearing a wide brim hat was very effective, preventing about 75% of stings to the head, so this is also recommended.

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Diagnosis of Vespa affinis venom allergy: use of immunochemical methods and a passive basophil activation test

Cited by 6 publications

References 52 publications

Diagnosis of Apis dorsata venom allergy: use of recombinant allergens of Apis mellifera and a passive basophil activation test

Diagnosis of Apis dorsata venom allergy: use of recombinant allergens of Apis mellifera and a passive basophil activation test

Defensive behavior of the invasive alien hornet, Vespa velutina, against color, hair and auditory stimuli of potential aggressors

Defensive behavior of the invasive alien hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax against potential human aggressors

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