Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in the treatment of bee venom allergy

: In 50 patients who had severe allergic general reactions after a bee sting clinical and immunological parameters were examined under the desensitisation with apitoxin. Under the introduction of the hospital treatment 25 patients showed side effects. 14 of these patients had milder general reactions also during the further continuation of the ambulatory treatment. In no case the treatment had to be stopped. The behaviour of the specific IgE and IgG antibodies does not allow a prognostic evidence concerning possible side effects and is little suited for the individual case also as objective parameter of success. 17 patients who during the first weeks after the beginning of the therapy spontaneously had been stung by a bee did not show any reactions or only reduced reactions. This result shows that the desensitization of desensitized patients gives a secure protection from life-threatening incidents. Open remains among others the problem of the objective judgment of the therapy and thus the question of the duration of the treatment.