Monday July 29.
A team of Australian researchers has developed a vaccine against bee stings. A treatment that will be appreciated by people with an allergy to the venom of these hymenoptera.
Anaphylactic shock, an allergic reaction caused by a bee sting
A bee sting is very painful and may in some people cause anaphylactic shock. The latter is manifested by various symptoms: generalized urticaria, redness, itching, edema, drop in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of consciousness… Against this serious allergic reaction, scientists have developed a vaccine.
To carry out this vaccine, Australian researchers at Flinders University of Adelaide called on 27 volunteers, presenting an allergy to bee stings, who agreed to be vaccinated with a serum containing a sugar called Advax. This adjuvant indeed allows the body to neutralize more quickly the venom linked to bee stings.
A vaccine against bee stings
According to Nikolai Petrovsky, professor at Flinders university, the addition of Advax in the serum “ It’s like adding a turbocharger to a car. That makes the bee vaccine much more potent, allowing the immune system to better neutralize bee venom and prevent allergic symptoms »Can we read on the site Why Doctor.
As a reminder, between 2000 and 2010, 153 people died after being bitten by hymenoptera (bees, wasps or hornets), an average of 15 deaths per year. In early July, a man died after being stung by 200 bees. In the event of an allergic reaction following the sting of a bee or other hymenoptera, call emergency services quickly by dialing 15 or 112.
Perrine Deurot-Bien
Read also : 5 tips to naturally relieve a mosquito bite
