Long-term Study on Effectiveness of Jack Jumper Ant Venom Immunotherapy in Adults Who Completed Treatment

What this Trial Is About

Jack Jumper ant JJA venom allergy is a common Australian condition affecting up to three percent of the population and can cause severe allergic reactions to stings. This research aims to study the long-term effectiveness of venom immunotherapy VIT for JJA allergy, which is a known treatment to prevent severe reactions but lacks evidence regarding its lasting benefits and impact on quality of life. The trial is a phase 4, prospective, multicenter study conducted at three Australian hospitals. Participants who have completed a JJA VIT program lasting between 3 and less than 6 years, and who have been off treatment for at least 18 months but less than 5 years, will be invited to take part. They will undergo a supervised in-hospital JJA sting challenge and have blood samples taken to assess their venom tolerance. Questionnaires on quality of life, anxiety, depression, sting exposure, reactions, and attitudes toward adrenaline auto-injectors will be collected at enrollment, during the sting challenge, one month after, and annually for three years. Optional consent will be sought for blood serum biobanking and inclusion in a national allergy repository. Participants will be closely monitored during the sting challenge by clinicians assessing any systemic allergic reactions and their severity using the Brown Grading Criteria. The study will collect retrospective data from their previous treatment records and follow participants for three years to evaluate changes in reaction severity, quality of life, and use of auto-injectors. The total participation time includes the initial challenge and follow-up assessments, ensuring detailed safety monitoring and understanding of long-term outcomes.

Jack Jumper Ant Venom Immunotherapy Long-term Effectiveness Investigation