Molecules (Dec 2022)

Venom Collection by Electrical Stimulation in the Invasive Species <i>Polistes dominula</i> Reared Using a Vespiculture Regime

  • Francesco Turillazzi,
  • Giuseppe Pieraccini,
  • Stefano Turillazzi,
  • Neri Orsi Battaglini,
  • Maurizio Severino

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248821
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 24
p. 8821

Abstract

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Specific Venom Immunotherapy (VIT) is practiced with venom extracted from insects, and is the specific therapy used for patients highly allergic to social insect (Hymenoptera) stings. Due to the dramatic shortage of vespid species in the local environment, we coupled vespiculture techniques of Polistes paper wasps with a venom collection procedure based on the electrical stimulation of individuals from entire colonies. The procedure involves little to no disturbance of the individual insects, and at the same time, successfully allows for the extraction of venom containing all allergens necessary for VIT.

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