Bumblebee allergens and cross-reactivity with honey bee:
Bumblebee venom is similar to honey bee venom but contains some unique
toxins not present in honey bee venom (Table 3).42,43Bumblebee PLA2 shows only 54% sequence identity (SI) with Api m
144 explaining the often limited cross-reactivity with
honey bee venom. Serine proteases represent major allergens in bumblebee
venom. They are structurally different from the honey bee CUB serine
protease Api m 7 showing only 33% identity.45
Seventy-three to 100% of unselected honey bee venom-allergic subjects
also show IgE binding with bumblebee venom in
vitro 43, 46, 47, and allergic reactions
after bumblebee stings have been reported in subjects with primary honey
bee venom allergy.8,10,43 However, patients with
occupational bumblebee exposure may react with unique epitopes or
allergens (especially serine protease) in bumblebee venom that cannot be
effectively inhibited by honey bee venom.47