Sensitization to Bee Venom in Portuguese Non-Allergic Beekeepers

Abstract

Ana Margarida Mesquita*

Hymenoptera venom is one of the main causes of anaphylaxis. Beekeepers are a group at risk of developing allergic bee sting reactions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitization to bee venom in beekeepers without any history of systemic reactions to bee stings. A total of 64 beekeepers denied systemic reactions to bee stings participated and 59% of them had positive intradermal skin tests with bee venom. So rregular exposure to bee venom in these individual, may confer greater tolerance and thus reduce the risk of systemic allergic reactions to stings.