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Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 08 25;17(17). Epub 2020 Aug 25.

Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan.

Background: Hymenopteran stings are the most common animal insult injury encountered in the emergency department. With increasing global spread of imported fire ants in recent decades, the rate of Formicidae assault has become a serious problem in many countries. Formicidae-associated injuries gradually increased in Taiwan in recent decades and became the second most common arthropod assault injury in our ED. Read More

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2020 11 13;125(5):577-580. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Department of Allergy and Immunology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

Background: The first large-scale evaluation of prescribing patterns for imported fire ant (IFA) in a large US health care system was published by Haymore et al in 2009. In this first evaluation of prescriptions from 1990 to 2007, the most often prescribed maintenance IFA prescription was 0.5 mL of 1:200 wt/vol. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021 Feb 6;147(2):643-652.e7. Epub 2020 Jun 6.

Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. Electronic address:

Background: A syndrome of mammalian meat allergy relating to IgE specific for galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) was first reported 10 years ago in the southeastern United States and has been related to bites of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum).

Objective: Here we investigated the epidemiology of the "α-Gal syndrome" in the United States and sought additional evidence for the connection to tick bites.

Methods: A survey of allergists was conducted by using a snowball approach. Read More

Allergy Asthma Proc 2019 11;40(6):372-375

The Hymenoptera order is divided into three families: Apidae, Vespidae, and Formicidae. Apidae include the honeybee, bumblebee, and sweat bee, which are all docile and tend to sting mostly on provocation. The Africanized killer bee, a product of interbreeding between the domestic and African honeybee, is very aggressive and is mostly found in Mexico, Central America, Arizona, and California. Read More

Cornea 2019 Dec;38(12):1550-1553

Department of Ophthalmology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Purpose: To describe the ocular findings and the long-term outcomes of patients diagnosed with corneal injury due to little fire ants (LFAs).

Methods: This is a retrospective case series of patients evaluated with corneal injury due to LFAs from October 2015 to January 2018 at the Cornea Clinic in Meir Medical Center. Patients underwent anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging during the follow-up. Read More

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019 12 3;123(6):590-594. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Department of Allergy-Immunology, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Background: Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) is a well-established cause of anaphylaxis; however, studies comparing patients with imported fire ant (IFA) to flying hymenoptera (FH) allergies are lacking.

Objective: This study sought to characterize the initial presentation and examine differences between patients with IFA and FH reactions.

Methods: A multiyear (2007-2014), observational, single-institution analysis of patients referred for evaluation of HVA was performed. Read More

Med J Malaysia 2019 08;74(4):344-346

Melaka General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Melaka, Malaysia.

Anaphylaxis is rarely associated with the vasospastic acute coronary syndrome with or without the presence of underlying coronary artery disease. We report here a case of Kounis syndrome in a man with no known cardiovascular risk developed acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction complicated with complete heart block following Solenopsis (fire ant) bite. Read More

J Med Entomol 2020 01;57(1):1-7

Allergology and Applied Entomology Research Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Barasat Government College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

West Bengal, India, is inhabited by abundance and variety of insects that triggers sensitization in some humans to inhalant allergens and/or insect stings/venoms. Lack of research on this topic prevented accurate diagnosis and proper follow-up treatments to patients suffering from insect-induced allergies. The aim of our study was to identify the allergy-causing insects and evaluate resulting sensitization among a study population in West Bengal, India. Read More

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019 07 24;123(1):95-96. Epub 2019 Apr 24.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee. Electronic address:

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019 05 1;122(5):541-542. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Allergy/Immunology, Becker Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, Robbinsville, New Jersey.

Mil Med 2019 05;184(5-6):e483-e485

Department of Medicine, Allergy/Immunology Division, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, 1100 Wilford Hall Loop, Bldg 4554 San Antonio, TX.

Treatment of imported fire ant (IFA) hypersensitivity includes avoidance and venom immunotherapy (VIT) that reduces the risk of reactions to less than 5%. Previous studies have shown that rush immunotherapy (RIT) is safe and efficacious. It is unknown if multiple RIT procedures on individuals with breaks in VIT are safe and effective. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 09 26;8(1):14427. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Laboratório de Inflamação, Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Fire ants are widely studied, invasive and venomous arthropod pests. There is significant biomedical interest in immunotherapy against fire ant stings. However, mainly due to practical reasons, the physiological effects of envenomation has remained poorly characterized. Read More

Wilderness Environ Med 2018 Dec 23;29(4):551-554. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka.

PLoS One 2018 25;13(6):e0199424. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

Red imported Fire Ant Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.

Susceptible individuals who have suffered painful stings caused by red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, usually experience physical health effects such as fever, dizziness, generalized urticaria, or other systemic reactions such as anaphylactic shock. Whether S. invicta stings also have negative effects on mental health is not clear. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2017 Dec 21;44(12):1012-1017. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.

Background: Skin reactions to the sting of the imported fire ant have characteristic clinicopathological features.

Methods: One case of experimental envenomation was prospectively followed during 48 hours, with biopsies. In addition, 6 cases from our laboratory were retrospectively evaluated histopathologically for the following features: spongiosis, exocytosis (and type of cells), pustule formation, erosion/ulceration, epidermal necrosis, scale/crust, papillary dermal edema, inflammatory dermal infiltrate (cell type, density, depth, distribution, shape), red blood cell extravasation, vasculopathy and vasculitis. Read More

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 2018 06;36(2):101-108

Department of Tropical Pediatrics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

Background: Specific IgE against Solenopsis invicta (imported fire ant) remains the current diagnostic tool for allergy to ants worldwide. However, S. invicta may not be the only cause of ant anaphylaxis in Thai patients. Read More

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 2015 Dec;33(4):267-75

Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Hypersensitivity reactions caused by ant stings are increasingly recognized as an important cause of death by anaphylaxis. Only some species of ants ( e.g. Read More

Mol Immunol 2016 Jan 28;69:24-32. Epub 2015 Nov 28.

Molecular Allergy Research Laboratory College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia; Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia. Electronic address:

The main insects causing allergy reactions to stinging insect in humans are Apidae (bees), Vespidae (wasps, yellow jackets and hornets) and Formicidae (ants). Their venom stings are composed of various biologically active peptides and protein components, some of which can cause toxicity or anaphylaxis in humans. The protein venom demonstrate some common allergenic activity such as for fire ants and vespids, which have two common allergens that are phospholipase A1 (enzymatic activity) and antigen 5 with unknown biological activity. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2015 May-Jun;90(3 Suppl 1):22-5

Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BR.

Ants are social insects with species of medical interest, such as the fire ants (Solenopsis sp.). The sting causes inflammation, vesicles and sterile pustules, which may cause allergic phenomena and even anaphylactic shock. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2015 May-Jun;3(3):315-22; quiz 323

Ellsworth and Mabel Simmons Professor of Allergy and Immunology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida and James A. Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, Fla. Electronic address:

Stinging insect allergy is responsible for more than 10% of all cases of anaphylaxis. The potential culprit insects are diverse and vary with geography. The incidence of insect allergy is declining in some areas and increasing in others, possibly due to effects of climate change, introduction of species into new areas, outdoor recreational activities, and movement of human populations that brings insects into contact with a greater number of people. Read More

Hautarzt 2014 Sep;65(9):775-9

Floridsdorfer Allergiezentrum, Franz Jonas Platz 8/6, 1210, Wien, Österreich,

Simultaneous reactivity with the venoms of different Hymenoptera is commonly seen in patients allergic to insect venoms. Strong, though individually variable, cross-reactivity occurs between the venoms of different Vespinae species (Vespula, Dolichovespula, Vespa). In Middle Europe, anaphylaxis after European hornet stings is nearly always due to cross-reactivity with Vespula venom. Read More

BMC Nephrol 2014 Jan 8;15. Epub 2014 Jan 8.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital/ I-Shou University, No,1, Yida Rd,, Yanchao Dist,, Kaohsiung City 824, Taiwan.

Background: Haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe, life-threatening disease with symptoms such as haemolytic anaemia, renal failure, and a low platelet count. Possible aetiology includes bacterial infections, medication, post-hematopoietic cell transplantation, pregnancy, autoimmune disease, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 21-year-old healthy man who developed acute renal failure caused by HUS. Read More

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2013 Dec 18;111(6):562-6. Epub 2013 Sep 18.

San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas. Electronic address:

Background: Rush immunotherapy (RIT) schedules can expedite protection in individuals sensitive to imported fire ant (IFA) stings.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1-day RIT with IFA whole body extract (WBE) and determine the benefit of premedication with antihistamines and prednisone.

Methods: Patients with systemic reactions to IFAs and evidence of specific IgE by skin test or serologic test started a 1-day RIT protocol without premedication. Read More

Insect Sci 2013 Aug 11;20(4):439-55. Epub 2013 Feb 11.

Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, Collage Station, TX, 77843, USA.

The impact of the imported fire ant (IFA) is complex, in large part, because several very different species of "Fire Ants" have invaded and one of these has two forms, all of which are hard to separate by the public, as well as, some investigators not focused on the ant. Each of these different "IFA" species and forms differ in their impact. Further, these ants impact a number of "things" ranging from the environment and wildlife (plants and animals) as well as people, their environment and infrastructure. Read More

Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2013 Aug;13(4):372-8

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA.

Purpose Of Review: To describe the current efforts to use biological control agents to reduce fire ant population levels, thus ultimately reducing the number of human sting and allergic reaction incidents.

Recent Findings: Climate change and worldwide fire ant expansion will increase the frequency of human encounters and allergenic events, putting additional pressure on the public health sector. Six species of fire ant decapitating flies are now established in the United States. Read More

Allergy Asthma Proc 2013 Mar-Apr;34(2):179-84

Ireland Army Community Hospital, Department of Allergy–Immunology, Fort Knox, Kentucky 40121, USA.

Insect venom hypersensitivity can pose a threat to personnel deployed to a combat zone but the exposure risk in Afghanistan is currently unknown. This study was designed to assess the threat of Hymenoptera stings and associated allergic reactions in Afghanistan. Hymenoptera species were collected during a deployment to southern Afghanistan from June 2010 through January 2011. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2013 Mar 21;31(3):632.e1-3. Epub 2013 Jan 21.

Division of Pediatric Critical Care Department of Pediatrics Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC, USA.

Allergy Asthma Proc 2012 May-Jun;33 Suppl 1:12-14

The Hymenoptera order is divided into three families: Apids, Vespidae, and Formicidae. Apids include the honeybee, bumblebee, and sweat bee, which are all docile and tend to sting mostly on provocation. The Africanized killer bee, a product of interbreeding between the domestic and African honeybee, is very aggressive and is found mostly in Mexico, Central America, Arizona, and California. Read More

Indian Pediatr 2012 Mar;49(3):237-8

Chaitanya Childrens Hospital, Karnataka, India.

Ant allergy is a rare problem and most published reports are from outside India. We report a toddler who suffered from severe anaphylaxis reaction due to bite of Red fire ant (Solenopsis geminata). Read More