Case Report: An unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapy

BackgroundCardiac involvement in anaphylaxis remains difficult to assess; however, histamine release during an anaphylactic reaction can induce functional and metabolic alterations in the myocardium. Mast cells, identified within myocardial fibers, perivascular tissue, and arterial structures, play...

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Main Authors: Silvia Brunetto, Federica Buta, Sebastiano Gangemi, Luisa Ricciardi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Allergy
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1583909/full
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author Silvia Brunetto
Federica Buta
Sebastiano Gangemi
Luisa Ricciardi
author_facet Silvia Brunetto
Federica Buta
Sebastiano Gangemi
Luisa Ricciardi
author_sort Silvia Brunetto
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundCardiac involvement in anaphylaxis remains difficult to assess; however, histamine release during an anaphylactic reaction can induce functional and metabolic alterations in the myocardium. Mast cells, identified within myocardial fibers, perivascular tissue, and arterial structures, play a crucial role in systemic and cardiac anaphylaxis through the release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine, platelet-activating factor, cytokines, chemokines, tryptase, chymase, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy (VIT) is the most effective strategy for preventing systemic reactions in sensitized individuals. Although VIT is generally well tolerated, severe allergic reactions can occur, particularly during the build-up phase, while they are rare in the maintenance phase.Case reportWe present the case of a 57-year-old male with a history of severe systemic reactions (SSR) to Vespula stings who experienced cardiac anaphylaxis during the maintenance phase of VIT. He started VIT with a conventional up-dosing schedule, which was well-tolerated. However, during the third monthly maintenance dose, he developed an anaphylactic syncopal episode with a right bundle branch block (RBBB) on ECG. He was treated promptly with adrenaline, corticosteroids, and antihistamines, and his ECG normalized within 20 days.ConclusionsThis case underscores the potential cardiac involvement in anaphylaxis during VIT maintenance and highlights the need to systematically evaluate cardiovascular manifestations during anaphylaxis episodes to optimize risk assessment and management.
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spelling doaj-art-c8e828ce876342ff835cf8eb4d2a8ce62025-08-20T02:12:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Allergy2673-61012025-04-01610.3389/falgy.2025.15839091583909Case Report: An unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapySilvia BrunettoFederica ButaSebastiano GangemiLuisa RicciardiBackgroundCardiac involvement in anaphylaxis remains difficult to assess; however, histamine release during an anaphylactic reaction can induce functional and metabolic alterations in the myocardium. Mast cells, identified within myocardial fibers, perivascular tissue, and arterial structures, play a crucial role in systemic and cardiac anaphylaxis through the release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine, platelet-activating factor, cytokines, chemokines, tryptase, chymase, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy (VIT) is the most effective strategy for preventing systemic reactions in sensitized individuals. Although VIT is generally well tolerated, severe allergic reactions can occur, particularly during the build-up phase, while they are rare in the maintenance phase.Case reportWe present the case of a 57-year-old male with a history of severe systemic reactions (SSR) to Vespula stings who experienced cardiac anaphylaxis during the maintenance phase of VIT. He started VIT with a conventional up-dosing schedule, which was well-tolerated. However, during the third monthly maintenance dose, he developed an anaphylactic syncopal episode with a right bundle branch block (RBBB) on ECG. He was treated promptly with adrenaline, corticosteroids, and antihistamines, and his ECG normalized within 20 days.ConclusionsThis case underscores the potential cardiac involvement in anaphylaxis during VIT maintenance and highlights the need to systematically evaluate cardiovascular manifestations during anaphylaxis episodes to optimize risk assessment and management.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1583909/fullvespula sting anaphylaxisVITmaintenance phasetryptasecardiac anaphylaxis
spellingShingle Silvia Brunetto
Federica Buta
Sebastiano Gangemi
Luisa Ricciardi
Case Report: An unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapy
Frontiers in Allergy
vespula sting anaphylaxis
VIT
maintenance phase
tryptase
cardiac anaphylaxis
title Case Report: An unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapy
title_full Case Report: An unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapy
title_fullStr Case Report: An unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapy
title_full_unstemmed Case Report: An unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapy
title_short Case Report: An unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapy
title_sort case report an unusual case of cardiac anaphylaxis in the maintenance phase of vespula venom immunotherapy
topic vespula sting anaphylaxis
VIT
maintenance phase
tryptase
cardiac anaphylaxis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1583909/full
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AT sebastianogangemi casereportanunusualcaseofcardiacanaphylaxisinthemaintenancephaseofvespulavenomimmunotherapy
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