Epidemiology of allergic reactions in beekeepers: a lower prevalence in subjects with more than 5 years exposure.

Beekeepers (Bks) represent a high allergic risk population against Hymenoptera because of their frequent exposure to bee stings. Most published studies show different percentage of sensitization and systemic reactions with to another groups of population. With the aim to know the prevalence and type of allergic reaction in Bks from the Canary Islands, 246 subjects were studied prospectively. A questionnaire was developed and skin test and specific IgE determination against Apis mellifera, Vespula and Polistes venom were performed. One hundred and twenty eight subjects had presented at least one reaction greater than merely local. In 83.5% of these subjects subsequent stings caused reactions of lesser intensity. Specific IgE in serum for Apis mellifera was positive in 126 BKs, for Vespula in 27 and for Polistes in 9. We found that the group of BKs sensitized to Apis was significantly higher among atopics BKs (p < 0.001) and with fewest years of working experience in beekeeping (p = 0.0134). This study showed that sensitization to Hymenoptera is higher in beekeepers with less than 5 years working experience and who are sensitized to another allergens.