[Evaluation of Hymenoptera hypersensitivity among forest administration workers]

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Occupational Health
• Entomology

Context:

• Investigated Hymenoptera (insect) sting hypersensitivity in 2546 forest administration workers in Nagano prefecture.
• Assessed prevalence of insect sting exposure, hypersensitivity, and anaphylactic shock.
• Examined factors influencing hypersensitivity, including sting frequency, age, and atopy.

Purpose:

• To determine the prevalence and risk factors of Hymenoptera hypersensitivity in a specific occupational group.
• To understand the clinical manifestations and severity of insect sting reactions.
• To identify correlations between hypersensitivity, atopy, and demographic/exposure variables.

Summary:

• 96.4% of workers reported insect sting exposure, with 21.5% identified as hypersensitive and 1.4% experiencing anaphylactic shock.
• Yellow jackets and wasps were common culprits. Clinical symptoms, particularly severity, were associated with stings to the head or neck.
• Hypersensitivity rates increased with the number of stings (p<0.05) and age, and were higher in workers with atopy (p<0.01).

Impact:

• Highlights significant occupational risk of Hymenoptera hypersensitivity among forest workers.
• Provides data on clinical symptom severity and risk factors, informing prevention strategies.
• Suggests a link between atopy and hypersensitivity, though not necessarily with severe reactions like anaphylactic shock.