StingReady: A Novel Device for Controlled Insect Sting Challenge—From Field Capture to Clinical Application

TL;DR

StingReady is a new device that safely and efficiently performs sting challenge tests for venom immunotherapy patients, improving accuracy and safety.

Contribution

StingReady introduces a novel, user-friendly method for controlled hymenopteran sting challenges, particularly for Vespa velutina.

Findings

StingReady enabled safe capture and transport of Vespa velutina hornets without anesthesia or limb removal.

Nine patients underwent successful sting challenge tests using StingReady with no direct insect handling.

The device improved test reliability by preserving natural stinging behavior and enhancing patient safety.

Abstract

Reliable assessment of protection in venom immunotherapy (VIT) patients remains a clinical challenge, especially due to the limitations of conventional sting challenge tests (SCTs), which require complex insect handling and may compromise test accuracy. This study introduces StingReady, a novel, user-friendly device designed to streamline the SCT process by enabling safe, efficient, and minimally manipulative exposure to hymenopteran stings. For the first time, StingReady was applied to conduct SCTs with Vespa velutina, an invasive hornet species of increasing clinical relevance. The device was tested in a real-world setting at Belvís Park in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where hornets were successfully captured and transported to the hospital without anesthesia or limb removal. The design features adjustable mesh sizes, allowing compatibility with various hymenopteran taxa. Using StingReady, nine patients underwent SCTs with no need for direct insect handling during the hospital procedure. The process improved patient safety and comfort while preserving the insect’s natural stinging behavior, thereby enhancing test reliability. This study demonstrates that StingReady significantly improves SCT methodology, offering a practical, reproducible, and ethically sound alternative for evaluating VIT efficacy across diverse hymenopteran species.

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