PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

David F Graft

Publications and source records attributed to David F Graft.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Insect sting allergy.

Insect sting allergy has served as an excellent model for the allergic process over the past century. In particular, during the last 30 years, a new form of diagnostic testing and treatment with vo m has been one of the great suc-cess stories in the entire field of allergy. VIT reduces the risk of recurrent life-threatening reactions from about 60% to less than 2%. Progress and further questions continue with a search for a definitive diagnostic test that more accurately predicts which patients are at risk for future reactions, and defines which patients can stop VIT and which ones need to continue treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Managing insect sting allergy. The ins and outs of venom immunotherapy.

Insect sting allergy can lead to severe, even fatal, reactions in susceptible persons. Although self-injection epinephrine often terminates the reaction, it is not always effective. In this article, Dr Graft explores the use of venom immunotherapy (VIT) in selected patients in whom successful treatment can produce psychosocial as well as physiologic benefits.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Maintenance venom immunotherapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Venom immunotherapy has proven to be a very effective method for the prevention of future re-sting reactions. However, initiation of the venom injection program is just the beginning. This review looks at recent papers which shed light on other issues that arise during maintenance venom immunotherapy. RECENT FINDINGS: Prophylactic antihistamines taken before venom injections reduce the frequency of reactions and one report suggests that they may improve efficacy. The schedule of venom injections usually does not have to be adjusted for patients who develop local reactions; a very large reaction may be the exception. Patients who react to stings should have their maintenance doses increased. Most patients are able to extend the interval between injections to 8 weeks in the third year of treatment. Two groups have proposed a maintenance interval of 12 weeks for routine use. SUMMARY: Our understanding of insect sting sensitivity continues to improve, leading to better outcomes for allergic patients.

Allergens↗