Prevalence of insect venom allergy in Switzerland: A population study of the SAPALDIA sample

This study provided results on the prevalence of insect venom allergy and on serological sensitization against insect venoms in Switzerland. The questionnaire of the SAPALDIA cross-sectional survey (conducted in 1991) contained three specific questions to determine the prevalence of insect allergy among the adult population in Switzerland. The data were obtained by a personal standardized interview and protocolled by a computerized questionnaire. Of the 9651 participants in the study 1196 (12.4%) said, they were allergic to insect stings. Out of the 8322 persons with a blood- and skin test 13.1% (1091) claimed to be allergic to insect stings, 3.5% (289) to bee venom, 3.5% (293) to wasp venom, 1.2% (103) said, they were allergic to bees and wasps, 0.1% (7) to bees or wasps. Another 4.7% (388) said, they were allergic to other insects, mainly to mosquitoes 3.0% (248). Information on the type of insect was missing in 0.1% (11). Of these 1091 persons with a history of an insect venom allergy 17.2% (188) reported severe systemic reactions, 9.7% (106) moderate systemic reactions, while the vast majority, 70.9% (774), reported local reactions only. 2.2% (23) reported other reactions or didn't answer this question. All sera of the 1091 participants with a self-reported insect allergy and the sera of 1089 randomly selected controls were later tested for specific IgE's against bee and wasp venoms, using the specific MagicLite® technique. A specific IgE antibody concentration ≤ 4 SU/ml (allergy class 2-5) was considered as positive. Among these with a history of insect venom allergy (n = 1091) 15.2% (166) had antibodies against bee or wasp venom. In detail, 9.3% (101) had specific antibodies against bee venom, 8.5% (93) against wasp venom and 2.6% (28%) had antibodies against bee- and wasp venom. Among the controls 9.8% (106) had antibodies against hymenoptera: 6.1% (66) against bees, 5.1% (55) against wasps and 1.4% (15) had specific antibodies against bee and wasp venom. This shows a considerable sensitization rate among persons without a documented history of insect venom allergy.