Lymphocyte subpopulations, cytokine release and specific immunoglobulin G in reactive and nonreactive beekeepers

Although bee venom sensitization and systemic sting reactions are common among beekeepers, the prediction of the severity of reactions has not yet been possible with laboratory tests. The present study was designed to evaluate parameters that might be clinically useful in estimation of systemic reactivity, and parameters that could differentiate allergic 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 were measured. The ratio of stimulated interleukin-4 to stimulated interferon-gamma was significantly higher in sensitized beekeepers than in allergic or anergic subjects. Venom-specific IgG correlated significantly with the number of annual stings (r = 0.575) and the years spent in beekeeping (r = 0.471). No significant differences in the subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes were found between the study groups. We conclude that differences in the subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes are not associated with sensitization or systemic reactivity. In asymptomatic sensitized beekeepers, T helper 2 T-cell dominance is more pronounced than in allergic subjects. Bee venom specific IgG correlates directly with the degree of exposure to bee venom.