Answer to yesterday’s quiz: Which one of the following pairs of hymenoptera insectsis most likely to show antigenic cross-reactivity? A. Bumblebees and wasps. B. Fire ants and hornets. C. Honeybees and bumblebees. D. Wasps and yellow jackets. The answer is D. The hymenoptera insects with stings that cause allergy are generally from three families: Apidae (honeybees and bumblebees), Vespidae (hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets), and Formicidae (fire ants). The molecular characteristics of the venoms from the three families of Hymenoptera are sufficiently different that there is very little antigenic cross-reactivity. Within families (e.g., vespids), there can be substantial cross-reactivity among the allergens present in the venoms; however, honeybee and bumblebee allergies are distinct. nej.md/1ekZ9V4
Posted on: Sun, 13 Apr 2014 15:00:00 +0000
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