Serum tryptase concentrations in beekeepers with and without Hymenoptera venom allergy

• Published in: Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 30 - 36
• Main Authors: Carballada, F, Alonso, M, Vizcaino, L, Coutinho, V, Núñez, R, Vidal, C, Boquete, M, González-Quintela, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain 2013
• Subjects: Allergens - immunology; Animals; Arthropod Venoms - immunology; Beekeeping; Female; Humans; Hymenoptera; Hymenoptera - immunology; Hypersensitivity - blood; Hypersensitivity - immunology; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunoglobulin E - immunology; Male; Risk Factors; Tryptases - blood
• ISSN: 1018-9068

Increased tryptase concentrations are a risk marker for the severity of reactions to Hymenoptera stings or venom immunotherapy
To investigate serum tryptase concentrations in beekeepers with and without Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA).
Serum tryptase concentrations were measured in adult patients with HVA (n = 91, 37 of whom were beekeepers), beekeepers without HVA (n = 152), and control individuals from the general adult population (n = 246).
Multivariate analyses revealed that serum tryptase levels were positively associated with beekeeping activities (P < .001) and HVA (P < .001). Tryptase levels were also positively associated with age (P < .001) and male'sex (P = .02), and negatively associated with alcoho consumption (P = .002).
Beekeeping and HVA are independently associated with increased concentrations of serum tryptase.