Allergy to propolis in Polish beekeepers

Abstract

A Ad dd dr re es ss s f fo or r c co or rr re es sp po on nd de en nc ce e: : Katarzyna M. Basista, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Farmacy, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, 9 Medyczna St, Poland, phone: +48 508 932 783, Original paper A b s t r a c t I In nt tr ro od du uc ct ti io on n: : According to the literature propolis is a non-toxic and safe substance. However, propolis can induce allergy. Beekeepers may be the group most affected by contact allergy and propolis is an occupational contact allergen for them. A Ai im m: : To determine the prevalence of propolis contact allergy in beekeepers and theirs families and its possible association with other coexistent conditions. M Ma at te er ri ia al l a an nd d m me et th ho od ds s: : The questionnaire 'Allergy to propolis among beekeepers' was distributed to beekeepers by hand through the Beekeepers Associations, especially the Provincial Association of Apiarists in Krakow. The study was conducted on adults of both genders who had given informed consent to participate in the study. The program Statistica was used for data management and statistical analysis. R Re es su ul lt ts s: : A total of 2540 questionnaires were distributed, including 1360 questionnaires from Malopolska region. Five hundred and fifty-eight questionnaires were returned, including 345 from Malopolska region. The response rate was 21.97% (25.4% Malopolska region). Among 558 beekeepers propolis contact allergy occurred in 17 cases (3.05%). Four hundred anf four of 558 beekeepers used propolis as a therapeutic agent. Eleven of 404 (2.72%) beekeepers reported propolis allergy. Only 5 beekeepers reported concomitant propolis allergy after contact with this substance during beekeeping and using propolis as a therapeutic agent. Among 2205 members of families who were using propolis only 14 patients (0.63%) reported propolis allergy. C Co on nc cl lu us si io on ns s: : Allergy to propolis in Polish beekeepers does not seem to be a common phenomenon. K Ke ey y w wo or rd ds s: : propolis allergy, propolis, beekeepers, contact allergy, occupational allergy.

Haematopoetic effect of methanol extract of Nigerian honey bee (Apis mellifera) propolis in mice

“…Propolis have been used as a remedy by humans since ancient times dating back to the times of ancient Greece and Rome, for treating wide spectrum of disorders and diseases [8]. It is used in foods and beverages to improve health and prevent diseases such as inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer [9].…”

Contact Allergy in Western Sweden to Propolis of Four Different Origins

“…Propolis is a well-known allergen ( 2 , 6 – 8 ), which sometimes causes occupational contact allergy ( 9 – 11 ). It is rather common as a contact allergen in many European countries, especially in eastern and middle Europe ( 3 , 12 ).…”

“…Contact allergy to propolis is of importance for patients using different “natural remedies” and cosmetics containing propolis, honey or beeswax, since the latter may be contaminated with propolis ( 26 ). Beekeepers and people who manufacture products containing propolis are at risk of developing occupational allergic contact dermatitis to propolis ( 11 , 18 ), as are musicians and string-instrument makers, since propolis is often a component of the varnish used on, for example, violins ( 7 , 9 ).…”

Foreign matter contaminating ethanolic extract of propolis: a filth-test survey comparing products from small beekeeping farms and industrial producers

“…In particular, animal-borne contaminants can act as dangerous allergens and/or pathogen vectors when ingested or applied on human skin. The arising effects can be also confounded with the ones generated by allergy to propolis sensu stricto (Basista & Filipek 2012;De Groot 2013). To avoid contamination by animal fragments, filtration process should be carried out with high hygienic standards and anti-insect nets should be adopted by beekeepers to prevent/reduce ethanolic propolis extract contamination by arthropods during the extraction and packaging phases.…”