Therapy for anaphylaxis caused by native ants is lacking

Scientists using specially designed antibody tests developed by the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research have identified four main groups of native ants that can trigger life-threatening anaphylaxis, according to a report in the Medical Journal of Australia.

Jack jumper ants (JJA), other jumper ants, bulldog ants and the green-head ant are the main groups of ants that cause anaphylaxis, Professor Simon Brown of the University of Western Australia said.

Up to three per cent of Australians in areas where the ants are common suffer severe allergic reactions to native ant stings.

Management of sting anaphylaxis centres on identification of the causative insect, avoidance strategies where possible, provision of an emergency action plan and venom immunotherapy (VIT) where available.

The provision of VIT in Australia is currently funded by the federal government through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for allergy to honeybees and wasps, but not for allergy to native ants.

VIT is a treatment process that involves injecting the allergen regularly, gradually increasing the dose. “This process teaches the immune system not to mount an allergic reaction, effectively ‘desensitising’ the patient,” Prof Brown said.

“JJA VIT is currently provided in Tasmania at the Royal Hobart Hospital; the venom extract can be supplied to interstate hospitals, but is not subsidised by the PBS and the cost must be covered in full by the hospitals and/or patients.

“No venom extracts suitable for human use are available for other Australian ant species at this time, but could easily be developed and at a relatively low cost.

“Although economic factors may preclude the production of therapeutic ant venom extracts for every species when only small numbers of patients are affected, the development of diagnostic venom-specific immunoglobulin E assays will help distinguish between allergy to native ant species and allergy to other insect species, and thus facilitate the accurate application of VIT for the most commonly implicated species of ant.”

(Source: Australian Medical Association (AMA): Medical Journal of Australia)

More information

For more information on immunisation, including the childhood immunisation scedule, types of vaccines, preconception screening, as well as some useful videos, see Immunisation.