Hymenoptera Venoms: Toxicity, Components, Stability, and Standardization

Bees, wasps, and ants possess predatory and/or defensive venoms that contain many toxic compounds. Diverse life cycles of this enormous group of insects implicate a large variability in venom compositions. Several venom compounds have been reported to cause an allergic reaction in humans, suggesting that a good knowledge of the composition of venoms and the structure of allergens is a prerequisite for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of insect venom allergy. A large group of proteins and peptides that is even more complex due to protein heterogeneity and posttranslational modifications represents a huge source of structurally diverse and biologically active toxins with high potency and selectivity for a wide range of targets. Due to the presence of similar protein allergens in multiple Hymenoptera venoms, cross-reactivity occurs between venoms from different species. Concerning the treatment of allergy caused by stinging insects, obtaining highly standardized allergens is crucial in allergy diagnosis.