Efficacy and safety of honeybee and wasp tyrosine-adsorbed venom immunotherapy

INTRODUCTION: spp. and honeybee in real-life. METHODS: or honeybee with a tyrosine-adsorbed preparation were observed to evaluate the grade of reaction (according to Muller) at the first field re-sting. A modified ultra-rush protocol was used. RESULTS: A total of 247 patients (73 female) were observed (102 honeybee, group H, 145 vespula, group V). Seventy-five patients in group H had a re-sting, and 74/75 had a lower grade reaction at re-sting as compared to the pre-VIT reaction. Considering systemic reactions, protection was achieved in 89% of patients. In group V 118 patients were re-stung, and 76/118 patients with previous grade III-IV reaction had no more systemic reaction under VIT. Overall, considering systemic reactions, protection was achieved in 92% of subjects. Of note, in both groups there was a clear inverse correlation between the severity of pre-VIT and during VIT reactions. The duration of VIT at the time of re-sting did not affect the efficacy. The safety was overall good, with 18% ad 15.4% local reactions in groups H and V, respectively. DISCUSSION: Modified extracts, including tyrosine-absorbed, have the aim of improving the safety of VIT still yet maintaining the efficacy. Field re-sting is the best way to assess the efficacy in real life. In this observational study we could confirm the protective efficacy of the tyrosine-adsorbed extract, with a good safety expecially in the build-up using a modified-rush protocol. CONCLUSION: The tyrosine-adsorbed VIT used herein is a viable and advantageous form of treatment for hymenoptera allergy.