CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL SURVEYS IN BEE KEEPERS

Bee keepers (250) in the South of France, working seasonally, were clinically investigated by a questionnaire. Of these, 43% had presented anaphylactic symptoms and 7.0% toxic reactions when stung by bees. The personal atopic history was significantly (P < 0.01) elevated in bee keepers who experienced anaphylaxis. Total serum IgE and bee venom-specific IgE were titrated in 100 subjects. Total serum IgE was significantly elevated in allergic bee keepers (P = 0.02). Although bee venom-specific IgE were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in allergic bee keepers this parameter cannot discriminate between allergic and nonallergic bee keepers owing to a considerable overlap. Bee venom-specific IgG was assayed in 70 subjects. Their level was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in allergic and non-allergic bee keepers compared with non-allergic blood donors and non-bee-keeping allergic patients. In both bee keeper groups there was no difference in bee venom-specific IgG titers.