ABSTRACT
Immunotherapy continues to be the treatment of choice for the prophylaxis of insect sting allergy. The availability of purified venoms and subsequent commercial distribution provided a major breakthrough in the treatment of insectallergic individuals. Initial studies documented the almost 100% effectiveness of venom immunotherapy in preventing resting anaphylaxis. The goal of venom immunotherapy is to provide protection from subsequent stings in individuals considered to be at risk as defined by a history of insect sting anaphylaxis and the presence of venom-specific IgE (positive skin test). Venoms are available for honeybees, yellowjackets, yellow hornets, white-faced hornets and wasps (see also Chapter 6).
