Tolerance in Beekeepers

Beekeepers experience multiple bee stings each year. Many of these beekeepers (25-60%) become sensitized to bee venom through the production of specific antibodies that target the bee venom. Although these antibodies are important in the triggering of an allergic reaction only a small number of sensitised beekeepers go on to have an allergic reaction with symptoms away from the site of the sting. These reactions can be severe and are known as anaphylactic reactions. The study investigates why some beekeepers develop severe allergic symptoms after bee stings while others do not. This study will explore factors in the blood that protect sensitised individuals from having anaphylactic reactions - meaning that despite being sensitised they are tolerant and do not react to subsequent stings.

NCT Number	NCT06156046
Lead Sponsor	University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust Collaborators: University of Plymouth
Conditions	Bee Sting
Enrollment	120 participants
Start Date	2024-01-22
Primary Completion	2027-10-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-10-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-04-30