Uterine contractions: an unusual side effect of venom immunotherapy

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2010;20(5):431-2.

Abstract

Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is an efficient treatment modality for preventing further sting-induced anaphylactic reactions in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy. The main side effects of VIT include local and systemic allergic reactions with a variable risk of up to 46%. We report the case of a woman who experienced rapid-onset hypocalcemia and regular uterine contractions on 3 occasions within 30 minutes of receiving Apis mellifera VIT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of uterine contractions as a side effect of VIT. The importance of this event is clear, as VIT has now been approved for pregnant women. We provide recommendations to physicians using this modality.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bee Venoms / adverse effects*
  • Bee Venoms / therapeutic use
  • Bees / immunology
  • Bites and Stings / diagnosis
  • Bites and Stings / immunology
  • Bites and Stings / physiopathology
  • Bites and Stings / therapy*
  • Bronchial Spasm
  • Calcium / administration & dosage
  • Desensitization, Immunologic* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / diagnosis
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / physiopathology
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Hypocalcemia / etiology
  • Hypocalcemia / prevention & control
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection
  • Urticaria
  • Uterine Contraction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Bee Venoms
  • Calcium