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Original Article
 

Serum Tryptase Concentrations in Beekeepers With and Without Hymenoptera Venom Allergy
 

F Carballada,1 M Alonso,2 L Vizcaino,2 V Coutinho,2 R Núñez,1 C Vidal,3 M Boquete,1 A González-Quintela2

1Department of Allergy, Hospital Lucus Augusti, Lugo, Spain
2Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
3Department of Allergy, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2013; Vol. 23(1): 30-36
 

 Abstract


Background: Increased tryptase concentrations are a risk marker for the severity of reactions to Hymenoptera stings or venom immunotherapy.

Objective: To investigate serum tryptase concentrations in beekeepers with and without Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA).

Methods: 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).

Results: 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 alcohol consumption (P=.002).

Conclusions: Beekeeping and HVA are independently associated with increased concentrations of serum tryptase.

Key words: Tryptase. Hymenoptera. Beekeeper. Venom allergy.