Successful Treatment Of Fire Ant Anaphylaxis With Anti-Ige Therapy

Researchers reported the first successful treatment of imported fire ant anaphylaxis with omalizumab, today at the 2005 AAAAI Annual Meeting in San Antonio.

Imported fire ant is a significant health problem in the southern United States. The venom from fire ants contains several allergenic proteins, which can cause anaphylaxis in allergic individuals. Amee Majmundar, MD, and colleagues from the University of Texas Southwestern demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of anti-IgE therapy with omalizumab in a 32-year-old woman suffering from fire ant allergy after initial immunotherapy treatment failed to resolve her symptoms.

Omalizumab is an injectable medication for allergic asthma, similar to immunotherapy. It blocks the receptors in the body that cause an allergic reaction. After eight monthly doses of omalizumab, the patient underwent two successful intentional sting challenges, suffering no systemic reactions.

These studies were presented at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Allergy/immunology specialists are pediatric or internal medicine physicians who have elected an additional two years of training to become specialized in the treatment of asthma, allergy and immunologic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has over 6,000 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information through its Web site, http://www.aaaai.org, and its Physician Referral & Information Line, 1 (800) 822-2762.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
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