LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS, CYTOKINE RELEASE AND SPECIFIC IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G IN REACTIVE AND NONREACTIVE BEEKEEPERS

Although bee venom sensitization and systemic sting reactions are comm on among beekeepers, the prediction of the severity of reactions has n ot yet been possible with laboratory tests. The present study was desi gned to evaluate parameters that might be clinically useful in estimat ion of systemic reactivity, and parameters that could differentiate al lergic beekeepers from sensitized subjects. Thirty-two beekeepers were selected and placed into the following three groups: anergic (n = 10) , asymptomatic sensitized (n = 11), and allergic (n = 11). Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, venom-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IgG and cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells wer e measured. The ratio of stimulated interleukin-4 to stimulated interf eron-gamma was significantly higher in sensitized beekeepers than in a llergic or anergic subjects. Venom-specific IgG correlated significant ly with the number of annual stings (r = 0.575) and the years spent in beekeeping (r = 0.471). No significant differences in the subpopulati ons of peripheral blood lymphocytes were found between the study group s. We conclude that differences in the subpopulations of peripheral bl ood lymphocytes are not associated with sensitization or systemic reac tivity. In asymptomatic sensitized beekeepers, T helper 2 T-cell domin ance is more pronounced than in allergic subjects. Bee venom specific IgG correlates directly with the degree of exposure to bee venom.