Hymenoptera sensitivity: I. Conjunctival testing in insect allergy

Abstract Conjunctival testing to a whole body mixture of bee, wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket in Coca's solution was carried out in an attempt to develop a simple clinical test which would be useful in verifying a history suggestive of stinging insect allergy. Approximately 60 per cent of 52 insect-sensitive patients undergoing hyposensitization therapy demonstrated positive reactions; whereas only 8 per cent of control subjects reacted similarly. This suggests that false positive conjunctival reactivity to Hymenoptera is unlikely, but that clinically significant numbers of patients will be falsely negative. Further implications are discussed.