Abstract
Background: A diagnosis of Hymenoptera venom allergy is based on clinical history and the results of skin tests and/or laboratory methods. Objective: To analyze the utility of available laboratory tests in diagnosing Hymenoptera venom allergy.
Methods: Ninety-five patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy with a history of bee (35) or wasp (60) anaphylactic sting reaction and positive skin test with bee or wasp venom were included in this analysis. Specific immunoglobulin E (to bee venom extract, wasp venom extract, available recombinant molecules, and a basophil activation test with venom extracts were assessed in all the patients.
Test sensitivity and specificity were calculated by using standard threshold values; then, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to compute optimal threshold values. Also, statistical analysis of the utility of different combinations of laboratory tests was performed.
Conclusion: Our analysis confirmed that currently used laboratory tests represent effective tools in diagnosing Hymenoptera venom allergy. Moreover, our probabilistic approach offered another way to interpret concrete values of laboratory test results and opened possible direction on how to optimize the laboratory diagnostic procedure.