1. Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy in dogs : safety and clinical efficacyAna Rostaher, Nina Maria Fischer, Alessio Vigani, Barbara Šteblaj, Franco Martini, Salina Brem, Claude Favrot, Mitja Košnik, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Insect venom allergy is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction following a bee, wasp, or ant sting. The only treatment to prevent further systemic sting reactions is venom immunotherapy (VIT), with an efficacy of up to 98% in humans. Prospective clinical data on VIT efficacy in dogs are currently lacking. In this investigation, 10 dogs with severe allergic reactions to either bee or wasp stings were treated with VIT. All dogs tolerated the therapy without adverse effects and the dogs which were re-stung tolerated the sting. This means that VIT is not only safe, but also efficacious in these patients. Furthermore, it was also shown that in addition to skin testing, two serum allergen-specific IgE tests were reliable to identify the underlying patients’ insect sensitization pattern.
Keywords: anaphylaxis, angioedema, dogs, Hymenoptera allergy, urticaria, venom immunotherapy
Published in DiRROS: 03.07.2025; Views: 116; Downloads: 36
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2. Adverse events in children and adolescents undergoing allergen immunotherapy for respiratory allergies : report from the Allergen Immunotherapy Adverse Events Registry (ADER), a European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology taskforceJulijana Asllani, Dimitrios Mitsias, George Konstantinou, Mitja Košnik, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: allergies, immunotherapy, allergens, adverse events, children, adolescents, registries
Published in DiRROS: 02.07.2025; Views: 87; Downloads: 36
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3. ǂThe ǂAllergen Immunotherapy Adverse Events Registry : setup & methodology of a European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology taskforce projectJulijana Asllani, Dimitrios Mitsias, George Konstantinou, Mitja Košnik, Moises Calderon, 2023, other scientific articles Keywords: allergies, immunotherapy, allergens, adverse events, registries
Published in DiRROS: 02.07.2025; Views: 78; Downloads: 32
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4. Risk factors for severe sting reactions and side effects during venom immunotherapyGunter Sturm, Eva Schadelbauer, Giorgia Marta, Patrizia Bonadonna, Mitja Košnik, 2025, review article Abstract: Understanding the risk factors leading to severe systemic sting reactions (SSRs) is crucial for initiating venom immunotherapy (VIT) and for educating affected individuals and their families. Some of these risk factors are well established, some are no longer considered risk factors, and some remain controversial. Well-established risk factors for severe SSRs include clonal mast cell disease, high baseline serum tryptase, and advanced age. The absence of skin symptoms and the rapid onset of symptoms are indicators of severe SSRs. Recent publications indicate that antihypertensive treatment and stings in the head and neck area are not risk factors for severe SSRs. VIT is the only available treatment that can potentially prevent further anaphylactic reactions. Although rare and generally manageable, individuals undergoing VIT may experience systemic adverse events (sAEs). More sAEs are expected in patients undergoing bee VIT compared with vespid VIT. The role of elevated baseline serum tryptase as a risk factor for sAEs remains debated, but if it is a factor, the risk is increased by only about 1.5-fold. Rapid updosing protocols, depending on the specific regimen, can also be associated with more sAEs. Severe initial SSRs, antihypertensive medication, high skin test reactivity, and high specific IgE levels are not risk factors for sAEs.
Keywords: immunology, anaphylaxis, Hymenoptera venom allergy, risk factors, severe systemic sting reactions, side effects, venom immunotherapy
Published in DiRROS: 02.07.2025; Views: 70; Downloads: 40
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7. Patients with detectable KIT p.D816V in peripheral blood are at high risk for adverse systemic events during venom immunotherapy and treatment failureAjda Demšar Luzar, Jakob Otorepec, Mitja Košnik, Peter Kopač, Julij Šelb, Peter Korošec, Matija Rijavec, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: immunology, allergy to poison Hymenoptera, peripheral leukocytes, venom immunotherapy
Published in DiRROS: 19.02.2025; Views: 336; Downloads: 196
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8. Cellular and humoral response after induction of protection and after finishing Hymenoptera venom immunotherapyAjda Demšar Luzar, Matija Rijavec, Mitja Košnik, Urška Bidovec, Jerneja Debeljak, Mihaela Zidarn, Peter Kopač, Peter Korošec, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy, sting challenge, biomarkers, serology, basophil activation test, follow-up
Published in DiRROS: 19.02.2025; Views: 352; Downloads: 192
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9. Blood transcriptomics identifies multiple gene expression pathways associated with the clinical efficacy of Hymenoptera venom immunotherapyAjda Demšar Luzar, Peter Korošec, Mitja Košnik, Mihaela Zidarn, Matija Rijavec, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Allergen-specific venom immunotherapy (VIT) is a well-established therapy for Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA). However, the precise mechanism underlying its clinical effect remains uncertain. Our study aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms associated with VIT efficiency. We prospectively included 19 patients with HVA undergoing VIT (sampled before the beginning of VIT, after reaching the maintenance dose, one year after finishing VIT, and after a sting challenge) and 9 healthy controls. RNA sequencing of whole blood was performed on an Illumina sequencing platform. Longitudinal transcriptomic profiling revealed the importance of the inhibition of the NFκB pathway and the downregulation of DUX4 transcripts for the early protection and induction of tolerance after finishing VIT. Furthermore, successful treatment was associated with inhibiting Th2, Th17, and macrophage alternative signalling pathways in synergy with the inhibition of the PPAR pathway and further silencing of the Th2 response. The immune system became activated when reaching the maintenance dose and was suppressed after finishing VIT. Finally, successful VIT restores the immune system’s balance to a state similar to that of healthy individuals. Our results underline the important role of the inhibition of four pathways in the clinical effect of VIT: Th2, Th17, NFκB, and macrophage signalling. Two biomarkers specific for successful VIT, regardless of the time of sampling, were C4BPA and RPS10-NUDT3 and should be further tested as potential biomarkers.
Keywords: Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy, longitudinal transcriptomic profiling, tolerance induction, successful venom immunotherapy
Published in DiRROS: 19.02.2025; Views: 329; Downloads: 183
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