[A new philosophy on stem cell trials in cardiovascular diseases: to collect pollen or to be a beekeeper].
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Cardiovascular Diseases↗
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Occupational dermatitis in beekeeper due to poplar resins in beeswax.
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Aged↗
[Allergic diseases in beekeepers].
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Bees↗
[Beekeepers and Hymenoptera stings. Results of a survey].
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Adolescent↗
Human factors facilitating the spread of a parasitic honey bee in South Africa.
Workers of the honey bee subspecies Apis mellifera capensis (Eschscholtz) produce female offspring by thelytokous parthenogenesis and can parasitize colonies of other subspecies. In 1990, translocation of 400 colonies of A. m. capensis into the distribution area of A. m. scutellata by a commercial beekeeper triggered a dramatic parasitic phenomenon. Parasitized colonies died within a few months of infestation, and this resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of colonies by commercial beekeepers in the A. m. scutellata range in South Africa. To deal with the problem and to identify methods that would limit the impact of the social parasite, we investigated the link between beekeeping management and severity of parasitic infestations in terms of colony mortality and productivity. We demonstrate that colonies from apiaries subjected to migrations are very susceptible to infestation and consequently show dramatic mortality. Their productivity is also inferior to sedentary colonies and those in isolated apiaries in terms of honey yield and brood quantity. Furthermore, by concentrating hives in small areas and often in the vicinity of other beekeepers, cross-infestations can easily occur. This can undermine previously parasite-free beekeeping businesses. As a result of our surveys, we propose beekeeping practices based on locally trapped bees, reduced migration, and better control of parasite spread, thus promoting the conservation of these pollinators. If followed by all the South African beekeepers, these measures should limit the spread of the parasite until it is eliminated within a few years, after which full migratory beekeeping practices could resume.
Animal Husbandry↗
Application of a modified selection index for honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae).
Nine different genetic families of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) were compared using summed z-scores (phenotypic values) and a modified selection index (Imod). Imod values incorporated both the phenotypic scores of the different traits and the economic weightings of these traits, as determined by a survey of commercial Ontario beekeepers. Largely because of the high weight all beekeepers place on honey production, a distinct difference between line rankings based on phenotypic scores and Imod scores was apparent, thereby emphasizing the need to properly weight the traits being evaluated to select bee stocks most valuable for beekeepers. Furthermore, when beekeepers who made >10% of their income from queen and nucleus colony sales assigned relative values to the traits used in the Imod calculations, the results differed from those based on weightings assigned by honey producers. Our results underscore the difficulties the North American beekeeping industry must overcome to devise effective methods of evaluating colonies for breeding purposes.
Animals↗
Combined active and passive immunotherapy in honeybee-sting allergy.
Five honeybee sting-allergic patients in whom bee venom immunotherapy (VIT) had previously been stopped because of repeated allergic side effects (SE) were resubmitted to bee VIT after pretreatment with beekeeper gammaglobulin. The tolerated bee venom dose was increased five to 800 times after this passive immunotherapy, and the maintenance dose of 100 micrograms of honeybee venom (BV) was reached in all patients after 6 to 15 days of a rush hyposensitization. The IgG response to BV was not suppressed by the beekeeper-gammaglobulin infusion. After 2 to 9 weeks of continued bee VIT, SE recurred in all patients. Therapy had to be stopped in one patient. The other four patients are currently on a maintenance dose of 60 to 80 micrograms. The possibility of a qualitative inferiority of the patients own IgG response was studied by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis and IgG subclass analysis. Lack of an IgG response to particular BV components to which IgE was present was demonstrated in three patients. The IgG subclass antibody pattern to BV at the time of recurrence of SE was similar to that found in beekeepers with a prominent IgG4 response. In contrast to beekeepers, however, there was no IgG2 response in patients.
Adult↗
Contamination of honey by chemicals applied to protect honeybee combs from wax-moth (Galleria mellonela L.).
Greek honey was monitored during a three-year surveillance program for residues of chemicals used to protect honey-bee combs from wax-moth. A total of 115 samples purchased from stores (commercial samples) and 1060 samples collected from beekeepers (bulk samples) were analysed for 1,4-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB), 1,2-dibromoethane (DBE) and naphthalene. A purge & trap-gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer system was used for the analysis. During the first year of the study, 82.9% of the commercial samples had residues of p-DCB that exceeded the established limit of 10 microg kg(-1), whilst during the second year 53.6% and during the third 30% exceeded the limit. The percentage of beekeepers samples that had more than 10 microg kg(-1) decreased from 46.6 to 34.7% and 39.8% respectively during the three consecutive years of analysis. Only one commercial sample (0.8%) had residues of DBE that exceeded 10 microg kg(-1) during the three years study, while 9.9% of the beekeepers samples exceeded this limit in 2003. This percentage fell to 1.9 and 2.8% during the following years. Naphthalene was found in more commercial samples than in samples from beekeepers during the first year, but decreased to similar levels during the next two years. Honeys that are produced earlier in the season are more contaminated those produced later.
Animal Husbandry↗
Assessment of worker exposure to airborne molds in honeybee overwintering facilities.
Airborne fungi in honeybee overwintering and equipment cleaning facilities were enumerated and identified to determine worker exposure during cleaning and routine beekeeping operations. Testing was prompted by observations of extensive mold growth on dead bees and associated material and by results of a preliminary study at one Alberta beekeeping facility that showed very high numbers of mold colonies on air samples taken during worker activity. To evaluate whether high mold counts were indicative of a problem at a single site or were industry wide, approximately 120 air samples were collected with a Reuter centrifugal sampler inside 10 overwintering facilities before and during routine beekeeping activity during fall, winter, and spring periods. A set of 30 samples was collected from 15 sites used for annual equipment cleaning. This study showed that average spore counts per overwintering site ranged from 238 to 1442 colony-forming units (CFU)/m3 prior to disturbance by workers and from 2200 to 13,931 CFU/m3 while workers swept up dead bees. Levels of airborne molds recovered during annual cleaning of beekeeping equipment ranged from 300 to 54,700 CFU/m3 with an average of 16,083 CFU/m3. Potentially toxigenic, pathogenic, or allergenic molds were recovered at all sites. Since the data indicate that exposure to high levels of airborne molds is widespread throughout the industry, actions that might help minimize worker exposure are discussed.
Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
A solid-phase radioimmunoassay for detection of human antibodies. I. Measurement of IgG antibody to bee venom antigens.
A solid-phase radioimmunoassay (SPRA) has been developed to measure IgG antibodies to bee venom (BV) and phospholipiase A2 (PLA) in human sera. The principle of the test is similar to that of the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) measuring IgE antibody. Cyanogen-bromide-activated paper discs coupled with BV or PLA followed by supplementary coupling with human serum albumin were incubated with standard or test sera, washed, and incubated with 125I-labeled anti IgG. The serum levels of the IgG antibody have been temporarily expressed in arbitrary units. the reaction between the antigen and antibody was specific and the results were reproducible. Sera from 19 beekeepers, 42 beesting-sensitive patients and 20 blood donors (controls) were assayed by the SPRA. IgG antibodies to BV and PLA could not be detected (less than 4 U/ml) in all control sera, in 25 of the 42 patients and in one beekeeper. The IgG antibodies in 17 patients ranged between 5 to 58 U/ml (mean 7.6 U/ml), and in the 18 beekeepers ranged between 8 to 160 U/ml (mean 59 U/ml).
Animals↗
Human monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies recognize predominantly discontinuous epitopes on bee venom phospholipase A2.
BACKGROUND: Two hybridomas, which secrete human monoclonal antibodies of IgG4 isotype specific for the main bee venom antigen/allergen phospholipase A2, were generated. The antigenic determinants recognized by these antibodies were mapped and compared with the binding sites of murine monoclonal and human polyclonal antibodies raised against the same antigen. METHODS: Two hybridomas were developed by fusing heteromyelomas to Epstein-Barr virus immortalized B cells obtained from beekeepers. The cloned hybridomas were stable and secreted up to 40 mg/L of antibody into the culture supernatant. Phospholipase A2 specificity of the human monoclonal antibodies was confirmed by binding and inhibition ELISA and by Western blot analysis. Epitope mapping on phospholipase A2 was done with the PEPSCAN method and ELISA techniques. RESULTS: The epitopes recognized by the human monoclonal antibodies were shown to be discontinuous and did not contain the sugar residue. Similar results were obtained with polyclonal antibodies of IgG4 isotype (from beekeepers) specific for phospholipase A2, which could also inhibit the binding of the human monoclonal antibodies to phospholipase A2. In contrast, antigen binding of the human monoclonal antibodies could not be inhibited by murine monoclonal antibodies against bee venom phospholipase A2. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the human monoclonal antibodies obtained are representative of a part of the polyclonal immune response to phospholipase A2 from beekeepers and may allow a more precise analysis of the humoral immune response to phospholipase A2 that is associated with protection.
Animals↗
Possible dual role of anti-idiotypic antibodies in combined passive and active immunotherapy in honeybee sting allergy.
BACKGROUND: Passive infusion of beekeepers' plasma was shown to protect patients against systemic reactions occurring during active immunotherapy by mechanisms still to be clarified. It is tempting to speculate that anti-idiotypic antibodies could play a role because they are found in beekeepers' plasma and are involved in the regulation of IgE synthesis. METHODS: In this report we studied the effects of passive infusion of a beekeeper's plasma rich in anti-idiotypic antibodies to a patient who experienced systemic reactions to honeybee venom. RESULTS: We reported, during the days after the infusion, a decrease of clinical sensitivity to the honeybee venom. Indeed, the patient tolerated a cumulative dose of 280 micrograms of venom without adverse reactions. We also observed decreases in skin mast cell and in basophil sensitivity. After the plasma infusion, a modified rush immunotherapy with honeybee venom was initiated in our patient. In the following 76 weeks, increased levels of anti-idiotypic antibodies in the serum of the patient were associated with a diminution of specific antibodies (IgG and IgE) to honeybee venom. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a dual role of anti-id in our combined protocol of passive and active immunotherapy: an immediate action on clinical sensitivity along with a decrease of skin mast cell and basophil sensitivity and an immunoregulatory role on specific antibody production.
Adult↗
Brood indicators are an early warning signal of honey bee colony loss-a simulation-based study.
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are exposed to multiple stressors such as pesticides, lack of forage, and diseases. It is therefore a long-standing aim to develop robust and meaningful indicators of bee vitality to assist beekeepers While established indicators often focus on expected colony winter mortality based on adult bee abundance and honey reserves at the beginning of the winter, it would be useful to have indicators that allow detection of stress effects earlier in the year to allow for adaptive management. We used the established honey bee simulation model BEEHAVE to explore the potential of different indicators such as population size, number of capped brood cells, flight activity, abundance of Varroa mites, honey stores and a brood-bee ratio. We implemented two types of stressors in our simulations: 1) parasite pressure, i.e. sub-optimal Varroa treatment by the beekeeper (hereafter referred as Biotic stress) and 2) temporal forage gaps in spring and autumn (hereafter referred as Environmental stress). Neither stressor type could be detected by bee abundance or honey reserves at the end of the first year. However, all response variables used in this study did reveal early warning signals during the course of the year. The most reliable and useful measures seem to be related to brood and the abundance of Varroa mites at the end of the year. However, while in the model we have full access to time series of variables from stressed and unstressed colonies, knowledge of these variables in the field is challenging. We discuss how our findings can nevertheless be used to develop practical early warning indicators. As a next step in the interactive development of such indicators we suggest empirical studies on the importance of the number of capped brood cells at certain times of the year on bee population vitality.
Bees↗
Genetic variation in natural honeybee populations, Apis mellifera capensis.
Genetic variation in honeybee, Apis mellifera, populations can be considerably influenced by breeding and commercial introductions, especially in areas with abundant beekeeping. However, in southern Africa apiculture is based on the capture of wild swarms, and queen rearing is virtually absent. Moreover, the introduction of European subspecies constantly failed in the Cape region. We therefore hypothesize a low human impact on genetic variation in populations of Cape honeybees, Apis mellifera capensis. A novel solution to studying genetic variation in honeybee populations based on thelytokous worker reproduction is applied to test this hypothesis. Environmental effects on metrical morphological characters of the phenotype are separated to obtain a genetic residual component. The genetic residuals are then re-calculated as coefficients of genetic variation. Characters measured included hair length on the abdomen, width and length of wax plate, and three wing angles. The data show for the first time that genetic variation in Cape honeybee populations is independent of beekeeping density and probably reflects naturally occurring processes such as gene flow due to topographic and climatic variation on a microscale.
Animals↗
Antibodies to purified bee venom proteins and peptides. II. A detailed study of changes in IgE and IgG antibodies to individual bee venom antigens.
Antibodies to individual bee venom antigens were studied in detail in nine bee sting-allergic patients who received venom immunotherapy without side effects, in two patients who failed to reach maintenance, and in two whose sensitivity returned. The study was confined to patients who had IgE antibodies to at least one of four purified bee venom antigens at the start of treatment. IgE and IgG antibodies to phospholipase A2 (PLA2), hyaluronidase (HYAL), and acid phosphatase (ACID P) and IgE antibodies to melittin (MEL) were measured, and changes in the antibody levels were followed during bee venom immunotherapy. Two contrasting patterns of antibody response were seen in the nine successfully treated patients. In five patients there was a rise in serum IgG antibodies to the same antigens as the IgE antibodies. In two patients' serum IgE antibody to HYAL or ACID P fell without a marked IgG antibody response to these antigens, although high levels of IgG antibody to PLA2 were present in both. Although the first pattern is consistent with a "blocking" role for IgG antibody, clearly the second is not. Not all patients can be conveniently divided into these two categories, and two patients did not show any significant change in either IgG or IgE antibody but were nevertheless able to tolerate the maintenance dose of 100 micrograms of venom. Two patients who failed to reach the maintenance dose of 100 micrograms because of their allergic reactions to the injections of venom were distinguished by (1) very high serum IgE antibody and (2) a low ratio of IgG/IgE antibody. Passive immunization with IgG antibody from a hyperimmune beekeeper was, however, protective in these patients, although it did not raise their overall serum IgG antibody level very much. We are unable to explain either the failure of conventional therapy or the beneficial effect of passive immunization in these two patients. Two bee sting--allergic beekeepers lost their sensitivity to stings, but later, when their sera contained IgE antibody to another bee venom antigen, they reacted to stings and inhalation of beehive dander. These data suggest that either falling IgE antibody or IgG- "blocking" antibody could be responsible for providing clinical protection to bee venom--allergic subjects. Renewed clinical sensitivity was observed when the IgE response was modulated, with patients making IgE antibody first to one antigen and then to another.
Acid Phosphatase↗
Combination of passive and active immunization in honeybee venom immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy with honeybee venom (HBV) is effective under optimal conditions, but many untoward systemic reactions are observed when venom doses are increased, especially with rush protocols. Although there were large interpatient variations, the levels of serum been venom specific IgG were found to significantly correlate with the protection of the allergic patients. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out to determine whether passive immunization with fractionated IgG from a beekeeper's serum pool was able to protect patients undergoing a rush immunotherapy program with HBV against untoward systemic reactions, and to observe if the active immunization with HBV could elicit an active IgG immune response toward venom allergens. Hyperimmune IgG was obtained from a pool of sera of beekeepers (Cohn fractions II to III) that was subsequently treated with pepsin for intravenous use. All IgG subclasses were found to be present in the preparation. Twenty-seven patients, highly allergic to HBV, were randomly allocated to two treatment groups. Twenty patients received 10 to 15 gm of fractionated IgG, and seven other patients received saline in a double-blind fashion. The next day, a 3-hour rush protocol attempted to reach a cumulative venom dose of 200 micrograms; 16/20 patients who received the fractionated IgG reached this dose without any systemic reaction, whereas none of the seven subjects who received saline could attain it, and all patients had a systemic reaction. The active immunization with HBV elicited a significant (p less than 0.05; Wilcoxon W Test) increase in venom IgG after 1 week of treatment in the patients who reached the maintenance dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adolescent↗
Use of a spectrophotometric bioassay for determination of microbial sensitivity to manuka honey.
The antimicrobial activity of manuka honey has been well documented (Molan, 1992a,b,c, 1997) [Molan, P.C., 1992. The antibacterial activity of honey. 1: the nature of the antibacterial activity. Bee World 73 (1) 5-28; Molan, P.C., 1992. The antibacterial activity of honey. 2: variation in the potency of the antibacterial activity. Bee World 73 (2) 59-76; Molan, P.C., 1992. Medicinal uses for honey. Beekeepers Quarterly 26; Molan, P.C., 1997. Finding New Zealand honeys with outstanding antibacterial and antifungal activity. New Zealand Beekeeper 4 (10) 20-26]. The current bioassays for determining this antimicrobial effect employ a well diffusion (Ahn and Stiles, 1990) [Ahn, C., Stiles, M.E., 1990. Antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from vacuum-packed meats. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 69, 302-310], (Weston et al., 1999) [Weston, R.J., Mitchell, K.R., Allen, K.L., 1999. Antibacterial phenolic components of New Zealand manuka honey. J. Food Chem. 64, 295-301] or disc diffusion (Taormina et al., 2001) [Taormina, Peter J., Niemira, Brendan A., Beuchat, Larry R., 2001. Inhibitory activity of honey against food borne pathogens as influenced by the presence of hydrogen peroxide and level of antioxidant power. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 69, 217-225] assay using zones of inhibition as indicators of bacterial susceptibility. The development of a 24-h spectrophotometric assay employing 96-well microtiter plates, that is more sensitive and more amenable to statistical analysis than the assays currently employed, was undertaken. This simple and rapid assay permits extensive kinetic studies even in the presence of low honey concentrations, and is capable of detecting inhibitory levels below those recorded for well or disc diffusion assays. In this paper, we compare the assay to both well and disc diffusion assays. The results we obtained for the spectrophotometric method MIC values show that this method has greater sensitivity than the standard well and disc diffusion assays. In addition, inter- and intra-assay variance for this method was investigated, demonstrating the methods reproducibility and repeatability.
Analysis of Variance↗
An HLA-associated nonresponsiveness to mellitin: a component of bee venom.
Previous work has demonstrated a close association between certain histocompatibility antigens and the gene that controls the IgE response to certain ragweed allergens. For example, there is a 90% association between IgE production to the short ragweed allergen, Amb a V, and an HLA class II allele. To assess whether these HLA linkages are specific for ragweed, we have investigated the association between HLA antigens and the capacity of individuals to mount a specific IgE response to melittin in patients with bee-venom allergy. Twenty-two subjects with bee-venom sensitivity, 22 healthy beekeepers without bee-venom allergy, and a normal population of 149 unselected individuals were studied. With serologic tissue typing and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, we have demonstrated a significant decrease in the HLA-DR4 and DQw3 alleles in subjects who are allergic to melittin compared to the control populations. There was also a negative association between the presence of HLA-DR4 and DQw3 alleles with the capacity of the individuals to mount an IgE response to phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The bee-venom sensitive subjects had a slightly lower titer of anti-PLA2 IgG when these subjects were compared to the bee-venom insensitive beekeepers. These results support the view that either HLA-DR or HLA-DQ has a protective role in controlling the IgE immune response. Lack of an IgE response to melittin or PLA2 is unlikely to be due to a failure to recognize allergen.
Adolescent↗