1 | INTRODUCTION
Platelet-activating factor (PAF), which was discovered in 1972 [1], is considered an important hypersensitivity mediator. Its influence includes anaphylaxis and its most severe form – anaphylactic shock. In the murine BALB/c model it was found, that PAF together with histamine may be responsible for the occurrence of anaphylaxis. The effect of PAF was more related to the reduction of cardiac output than to generalized vasodilation [2]. Moreover, some reports suggest that the importance of PAF as a mediator of anaphylaxis in humans may be superior to histamine and tryptase [3].
The concentration of PAF in the peripheral blood is regulated by plasma PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) [4, 5]. The physiological influence on this enzyme seems to be multidirectional [6, 7]. Previous studies indicate that the reduced activity of PAF-AH may be a potential risk factor not only for the occurrence but also for the severe course of food and Hymenoptera venom allergies (HVA) [8-10].
The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the plasma PAF-AH activity and the severity of anaphylactic reaction after honeybee and wasp sting, towards a preliminary analysis of using this relationship for diagnostic purposes.