Allergens in hymenoptera venom. V. Identification of some of the enzymes and demonstration of multiple allergens in yellow jacket venom.

Yellow jacket venom (YJV) contains acid phosphatase, hyaluronidase and phospholipase but neither allergen C nor melittin as bee venom (BV). YJV enzymes did not cross react with antisera to BV enzymes. YJV was separated into seven fractions, all of which had some activity in RAST. Sera were found specific for the fractions containing phospholipase and acid phosphatase. The other three protein fractions also exhibited substantial RAST activity, suggesting there are at least five allergens in YJV.