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Background and Design: Allergic reactions to Hymenoptera venoms are significant health problems because of their serious outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitization rates of Hymenoptera venoms (an indirect measure of Hymenoptera venom allergy) in Mersin region. Materials and Methods: In this study, we investigated the sensitization rates among 209 volunteers (86 males, 123 females, mean age: 38.4 years) using questionnaires, total IgE determination with nephelometric method and phadiotop determinations with fluoroimmunoassay, epidermal/intradermal testing with Apidae, Vespidae and Polistes venom extracts. Results: Sensitization rate to venoms of all three species were 21.0% among 209 subjects. Sensitization rate to more than one species simultaneously was 52.3% among Hymenoptera-sensitive subjects. With the aid of questionnaires we found that sting reactions were 'normal reactions' in 80%, 'large local reactions' in 11.0% and 'systemic reactions' in 9% of the subjects. The rate of positive skin tests was 23.5% among the subjects who described large local reactions and 21.5% among the subjects who described systemic reactions. There were no significant difference in the sensitization rates between males and females, in subjects stratified by age, subjects with elevated and normal total IgE values, subjects with positive and negative phadiotop determinations subjects living in urban and suburban areas and between subjects with respect to sting number or time elapsed since the last sting or the varieties of sting reactions. Conclusion: Although low in titer, the sensitization rates to hymenoptera venoms were significantly high in Mersin region. Therefore, Hymenoptera venom allergy may contribute to health problems, significantly in this part of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: Allergic reactions to Hymenoptera venoms are significant health problems because of their serious outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitization rates of Hymenoptera venoms (an indirect measure of Hymenoptera venom allergy) in Mersin region. Materials and Methods: In this study, we investigated the sensitization rates among 209 volunteers (86 males, 123 females, mean age: 38.4 years) using questionnaires, total IgE determination with nephelometric method and phadiotop determinations with fluoroimmunoassay, epidermal/intradermal testing with Apidae, Vespidae and Polistes venom extracts. Results: Sensitization rate to venoms of all three species were 21.0% among 209 subjects. Sensitization rate to more than one species simultaneously was 52.3% among Hymenoptera-sensitive subjects. With the aid of questionnaires we found that sting reactions were "normal reactions" in 80%, "large local reactions" in 11.0% and "systemic reactions" in 9% of the subjects. The rate of positive skin tests was 23.5% among the subjects who described large local reactions and 21.5% among the subjects who described systemic reactions. There were no significant difference in the sensitization rates between males and females, in subjects stratified by age, subjects with elevated and normal total IgE values, subjects with positive and negative phadiotop determinations subjects living in urban and suburban areas and between subjects with respect to sting number or time elapsed since the last sting or the varieties of sting reactions. Conclusion: Although low in titer, the sensitization rates to hymenoptera venoms were significantly high in Mersin region. Therefore, Hymenoptera venom allergy may contribute to health problems, significantly in this part of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]