Investigation of Exposure to Bee Products and Conditions Associated with Allergy, Inflammation and Infection in Beekeepers

ABSTRACT Introduction: Beekeeping is known in some developing countries as an important form of employment in agriculture. Beekeeping and honey production is carried out in order to provide income or hobby in Turkey. Bee produce honey, bee milk, propolis, bee venom, bee pollen and wax. All three of the allergic, inflammatory and infectious diseases are related to immunity. Allergy is an extreme and abnormal immune response to an allergen that most people easily accept. Inflammation is response of living tissue to internal or external damage to protect or heal the tissue. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, neuromodulator, metabolic syndrome inhibitor and anti-aging properties of bee products have been demonstrated. In this study, it was aimed to investigate allergy, inflammatory diseases and infectious conditions in beekeepers more frequently exposed to bee stings and more easily accessible to bee products. Method: A total of 50 beekeepers who were members of the Bingol Association of Bee Farmers in Eastern Anatolia Region, were included in the study. Participants were questioned about the demographic characteristics, the frequency and amount of exposure to bee and products. A questionnaire was prepared by the researchers in the light of the literature, in which allergy, inflammatory disease and infectious-related parameters were questioned. Questionnaires were filled using face-to-face interview method. Results: The average age of the beekeepers included in the study was 47,84 ± 11 years (min-max: 27 – 78 years). 94% (n = 47) of the participants were male and 6% (n = 3) were female. None of the participants were obese. When a known systemic disease entity was questioned, it was determined that 4% (n = 2) had thyroid pathology, 6% (n = 3) diabetes and 12% (n = 6) hypertension. It was learned that all of the cases were regularly filtered or honeycomb honey, 88% pollen, 50% propolis and 50% bee milk. All of the beekeepers are exposed to bee stings at least once a month. In addition, 34% of the beekeepers were found to be willing to self-destruct. Conclusion: We think that beekeeping is a positive contribution to health because it is not an indoor activity, requires physical activity, is away from the western type of life, and lives with nature. It has been concluded that beekeepers can more easily reach bee products outside of honey, and that more consumption may be effective in protecting and improving health from allergic, rheumatologic and infectious diseases