Anaphylaxis in a canine patient sensitized to human albumin while on honeybee immunotherapy

Abstract

Venom immunotherapy (VIT) provides an opportunity to reduce life-threatening reactions to venomous insect stings. VIT requires stabilization with human albumin. This report describes a Labrador Retriever that developed anaphylaxis during VIT induction. Intradermal testing (IDT) identified a human albumin hypersensitivity. Four years later, re-testing revealed a persistent hypersensitization to human albumin. To identify if VIT is a risk factor for human albumin sensitivity, IDT was performed in 4 honeybee allergic dogs being treated with VIT, with 6 healthy and 6 atopic dogs as controls. One other dog reacted to human albumin at the testing concentrations. This dog was being treated with VIT but had no clinical manifestations. VIT containing human albumin may lead to sensitization of this protein and anaphylaxis.