A Review of Honeybee Venom Allergens and Allergenicity

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2021 Aug 27

PMID 34445077

Citations 21

Authors

Marta Burzynska

Dorota Piasecka-Kwiatkowska

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Honeybee venom is a source of proteins with allergenic properties which can result in in various symptoms, ranging from local reactions through to systematic life-threatening anaphylaxis, or even death. According to the World Allergy Organization (WAO), honeybee venom allergy is one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis. Among the proteins present in honeybee venom, 12 protein fractions were registered by the World Health Organization's Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee (WHO/IUIS) as allergenic. Most of them are highly immunogenic glycoproteins that cross-react with IgE and, as a consequence, may give false positive results in allergy diagnosis. Allergenic fractions are different in terms of molecular weight and biological activity. Eight of these allergenic fractions have also been identified in honey. This explains frequent adverse reactions after consuming honey in people allergic to venom and sheds new light on the causes of allergic symptoms in some individuals after honey consumption. At the same time, it also indicates the possibility of using honey as a natural source of allergen in specific immunotherapy.

Citing Articles

Pattern of sensitization to yellow jacket venom and expression of recombinant antigen 5 (Ves v 5) from yellow jacket venom.

Mahmoudzadeh S, Rezapour H, Chamani S, Safarpour H, Fereidouni M BMC Immunol. 2025; 26(1):14.

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Unlocking the Healing Potential: A Comprehensive Review of Ecology and Biology of Medical-Grade Honey in Wound Management and Tissue Regeneration.

Barazesh P, Hajihassani H, Motalebi F, Neiresi S, Hajihassani R, Mehrabian A Health Sci Rep. 2025; 8(1):e70240.

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Biomarkers for the Molecular Diagnosis of IgE-Mediated Hymenoptera Venom Allergy in Clinical Practice.

Popescu F, Preda M, Antolin-Amerigo D, Rodriguez-Otero N, Ramirez-Mateo E, Smolinska S Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(1.

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Africanized honeybee venom ( promotes human complement activation split products storm.

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Insights into the nutritional value of honeybee drone larvae (Apis mellifera) through proteomic profiling.

Matuszewska-Mach E, Packi K, Rzetecka N, Wielinski W, Kokot Z, Kowalczyk D Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):28562.

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