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Toxins (Basel) 2020 May 14;12(5). Epub 2020 May 14.

Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Munich, Germany.

Allergic reactions to stings of Hymenoptera species can have serious or even fatal consequences. If the identification of the culprit insect is possible, venom-specific immunotherapy effectively cures Hymenoptera venom allergies. Although component-resolved diagnostics has strongly evolved in recent years, the differentiation between allergies to closely related species such as and spp. Read More

Allergy 2020 May 4. Epub 2020 May 4.

Allergy Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.

Background: Epidemiological data on fatal anaphylaxis are underestimated worldwide. Few Italian data do exist. The aims of the study are to determine the anaphylaxis mortality rate in Italy and its associations with demographic characteristics (gender, age, and geographical distribution), and to investigate which are the most common triggers of fatal anaphylaxis. Read More

PLoS One 2020 16;15(4):e0231747. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

Background: Large local reactions (LLR) to Hymenoptera stings were considered as IgE-mediated late-phase inflammatory reactions. However, in older studies, most patients with LLR were skin test positive, but only around 50% had detectable sIgE determined by the RAST system.

Methods: Data of 620 patients were evaluated retrospectively: 310 patients who suffered from LLR and 310 patients with previous systemic sting reactions (SSR). Read More

Insects 2020 Apr 2;11(4). Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan.

Envenoming syndrome is a systemic reaction induced by inoculation of large volumes of Hymenoptera venom. The clinical manifestations range from skin allergic reactions to multiple organ failure. Vespid venom-induced toxic reactions and anaphylaxis are the most common lethal mechanism of death, involving acute respiratory failure, acute liver failure, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, and severe coagulopathy. Read More

Rev Bras Epidemiol 2020 21;23:e200005. Epub 2020 Feb 21.

Centro de Educação e Saúde, Unidade Acadêmica de Saúde, Graduate Program in Natural Sciences and Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - Cuité (PB), Brazil.

Introduction: In the American continent, accidents caused by honeybees are a public health problem due to the high incidence and severity of the cases. Despite its medical importance, there are few epidemiological studies on this topic in Brazil, especially referring to the Northeastern states. The present study aims to describe the epidemiological features of honeybee envenomation cases in the state of the Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2014. Read More

J Econ Entomol 2020 Feb 29. Epub 2020 Feb 29.

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Northwest Loess Plateau Crop Pest Management of Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.

The biocontrol values of natural enemies are strongly correlated to their ability to regulate the density of their host/prey. For parasitoids, apart from parasitism and host feeding, unsuccessful host stinging (i.e. Read More

Cutis 2020 Jan;105(1):17-18

Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.

The Hymenoptera order of insects includes Apidae (bees), Vespidae (wasps, yellow jackets, hornets), and Formicidae (fire ants). All 3 of these families of insects inject venom into their prey or as a defense mechanism via ovipositors in their abdomen. Three types of reactions can be seen after a vespid sting: uncomplicated local reactions, large local reactions, and systemic reactions (SRs). Read More

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2020 Feb 11. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Spanish Network for Addictive Disorders (Red de Trastornos Adictivos, RD16/0017/0018), Spain.

Background And Objective: To define the sensitization pattern of patients with anaphylaxis to Vespa velutina nigrithorax (VVN).

Methods: : One-hundred consecutive Spanish patients with Hymenoptera anaphylaxis were studied. We systematically determined specific IgE (sIgE) to whole venoms (Vespula spp. Read More

PLoS One 2020 10;15(1):e0225672. Epub 2020 Jan 10.

CMC Research and Development, ALK-Abelló S.A., Madrid, Spain.

The aim of this study was to purify potential allergenic components of Vespa velutina venom, the yellow legged Asian Hornet, and perform a preliminary characterization of the purified proteins. Starting from the whole venom of V.velutina, several chromatographic steps allowed to purify the phospholipase (named Vesp v 1), as well as the antigen 5 (Vesp v 5, the only allergenic component described as such so far). Read More

Chimia (Aarau) 2019 Dec;73(12):1037-1038

Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, CH-4058 Basel;, Email:

Bees defend themselves by stinging and injecting a venom into their victims; bee venom is a complex mixture of chemicals including the polypeptide melittin which is mainly responsible for triggering the pain of the sting. Read More

BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2019 12 17;20(1):84. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.

Background: For many decades, the sting of Samsun ant (Pachycondyla sennaarensis) has been a serious clinical challenge for the people living in some of the major Middle East and Asian countries. In the present study, the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa derived plant extract component, thymoquinone (TQ) has been tested against the Samsun ant venom (SAV) at the toxic dose in the rats.

Methods: The adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): control, SAV treated, SAV + TQ treated and TQ alone treated. Read More

Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2019 27;15:77. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

1Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Grunwaldzka Street, 60-780 Poznan, Poland.

Background: venom allergy is one of the most frequent causes of anaphylaxis. In its most severe form, the reaction to wasp and honey bee stings may be life-threatening. Therefore, immediate and proper diagnosis of venom allergy and implementation of suitable therapy are extremely important. Read More

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2020 3;181(2):111-118. Epub 2019 Dec 3.

Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany,

Background: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is an established and effective treatment for patients with Hymenoptera venom allergies. Especially during the build-up of VIT, systemic allergic reactions are a key issue.

Objective: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of a 3-day rush insect VIT protocol and a strategy for the management of individuals with VIT-induced anaphylaxis. Read More

Clin Transl Allergy 2019 11;9:54. Epub 2019 Oct 11.

1Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Hymenoptera stings are a major cause of anaphylaxis. Various risk factors are discussed in literature. This study aims to investigate potential risk factors for severe sting reactions in wasp ( spp. Read More

DNA Cell Biol 2019 Dec 14;38(12):1512-1518. Epub 2019 Oct 14.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.

The plasma levels of interleukin-8 () and its receptors ( and ) play a significant role in the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), but it is not clear how these proteins are involved in wasp sting patients developing SIRS. To study potential genetic factors predisposing to the risk of SIRS caused by wasp sting injury, we determined the plasma levels of and its receptors among SIRS patients with wasp sting injury and investigated the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of these genes with SIRS. A total of 225 patients were divided into the SIRS group ( = 62) and non-SIRS group (control,  = 163), and we associated polymorphisms in [ (-251T>A), (-845C>T), (+396G>T), (+781T>C), (+860C>G), [ (+811T>C), (+1235C>T), and (+1440A>G)] with SIRS with a linear additive model. 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

Front Immunol 2019 21;10:1959. Epub 2019 Aug 21.

Immunomodulation and Tolerance Group, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Inflammation, Repair and Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.

Hymenoptera stings may cause both local and systemic allergic reactions and even life threatening anaphylaxis. Along with pharmaceutical drugs and foods, hymenoptera venom is one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis in humans. To date, no parameter has been identified that may predict which sensitized people will have a future systemic sting reaction (SSR), however some risk factors, such as mastocytosis and age >40 years are known. Read More

Immun Inflamm Dis 2019 12 7;7(4):258-259. Epub 2019 Sep 7.

Allergy Unit, Presidio Columbus, Rome, Italy.

The natural history of large local reactions to Hymenoptera stings allowed to estimate the risk to develop a systemic reaction after an initial large local reaction in about 4% of patients. A recently published study claimed that such risk concerns instead around one-fourth of patients. However, such study is flawed by serious imprecision, particularly the unreliable identification by patients of the culprit insect, as well as the dubious identification of the causative venom in multisensitized patients. 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

Ren Fail 2019 Nov;41(1):814-820

Department of Nephrology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine , Shiyan , China.

To study the efficacy and safety of sustained low-efficiency diafiltration (SLEDf) hemodialysis (HD) for patients with wasp stings who developed stage III acute kidney injury (AKI). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of consecutive patients who developed AKI following wasp stings. All eligible patients received renal replacement therapy in combination with hemoperfusion. Read More

Arthropod Struct Dev 2019 Sep 28;52:100882. Epub 2019 Aug 28.

Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany. Electronic address:

Digger wasps of the family Crabronidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) are generally known to use their sting to paralyze or kill a prey. However, only a few species of digger wasps transport their prey to the nest impaled on the sting. How sting morphology correlates with this peculiar type of prey carriage is still unclear. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2019 Aug 31;20:1284-1289. Epub 2019 Aug 31.

Department of Ophthalmology, Regional Hospital Center of Metz-Thionville, Mercy Hospital, Metz-Cedex, France.

BACKGROUND Ocular bee stings have been rarely described in the literature, and their management is controversial. A case of conjunctival bee sting with retention of the stinger for 48 hours is presented with a review of the literature on the complications and management of ocular bee sting injury. CASE REPORT A 22-year-old beekeeper presented to the Emergency Department with mild symptoms from a conjunctival bee sting that he had received 48 hours previously. Read More

Molecules 2019 Aug 19;24(16). Epub 2019 Aug 19.

Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon.

Apitherapy is an alternate therapy that relies on the usage of honeybee products, most importantly bee venom for the treatment of many human diseases. The venom can be introduced into the human body by manual injection or by direct bee stings. Bee venom contains several active molecules such as peptides and enzymes that have advantageous potential in treating inflammation and central nervous system diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Read More

Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2019 Jun 19;36(3):346-353. Epub 2019 Jun 19.

"Dziupla" Statistical Analysis, Krakow, Poland.

Introduction: Venom immunotherapy treatment (VIT) is the only causal treatment of hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis, which aims to provide long-lasting immunoprotection against severe reactions to subsequent stings.

Aim: To reassess the compliance of VIT procedures in the Polish allergy centres with the European guidelines.

Material And Methods: A structured questionnaire survey conducted in all 33 VIT-centres. Read More

Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2019 Jun 22;36(3):302-307. Epub 2018 May 22.

Department of Infectious Diseases and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.

Introduction: Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) in some patients occurs with general symptoms involving respiratory and cardiovascular system with anaphylactic shock with constitutes a significant threat to life.

Aim: Assessment of the prevalence of HVA in our own material.

Material And Methods: There were 498 patients after a general reaction to wasp and/or bee venom. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2019 07 21;11(7). Epub 2019 Jul 21.

Southwestern Biological Institute, 1961 W. Brichta Dr., Tucson, AZ 85745, USA.

Pain is a natural bioassay for detecting and quantifying biological activities of venoms. The painfulness of stings delivered by ants, wasps, and bees can be easily measured in the field or lab using the stinging insect pain scale that rates the pain intensity from 1 to 4, with 1 being minor pain, and 4 being extreme, debilitating, excruciating pain. The painfulness of stings of 96 species of stinging insects and the lethalities of the venoms of 90 species was determined and utilized for pinpointing future directions for investigating venoms having pharmaceutically active principles that could benefit humanity. Read More

World Allergy Organ J 2019 28;12(7):100039. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Background: Hymenoptera venom sensitization in highly exposed individuals frequently requires risk assessment for future severe sting reactions. In this study, we determined the prevalence of Hymenoptera venom sensitization in individuals who hunt and fish and analyzed possible correlations between the severity of sting reactions and the IgE sensitization profile.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, paper-based, self-filled questionnaires about previous insect stings and sting reactions were obtained from individuals who hunt and fish in Bavaria, Germany. Read More

Inflammation 2019 Dec;42(6):2011-2019

Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, FACFAN/Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Stings from the wasp Parachartergus fraternus occur throughout Latin America, and edema followed by pain is the main symptom presented by victims. This often limited inflammatory event has not been characterized for this species. In this work, we identified the mechanisms and possible mediators involved in this response. Read More

Allergy 2020 01 12;75(1):169-177. Epub 2019 Aug 12.

Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Patients with clonal mast cell disorders (cMCD), systemic mastocytosis (SM) and monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome (MMAS), represent an increased risk for Hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis (HVA). Lifelong venom immunotherapy (VIT) is recommended; however, its efficacy and safety are controversial. Hence, we sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VIT in HVA patients with cMCD. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019 08 9;144(2):504-513.e16. Epub 2019 Jul 9.

Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia; Vaxine, Bedford Park, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Allergic reactions to Hymenoptera insect stings remain a major global clinical problem. Although effective, parenteral desensitization regimens require use of costly venom extracts and require frequent visits over extended periods of time.

Objective: Adjuvants are commonly used to enhance the efficacy of infectious disease vaccines, and this study asked whether Advax (Vaxine Pty Ltd, Adelaide, Australia), a novel noninflammatory polysaccharide adjuvant, might provide similar benefits for allergy desensitization. Read More

Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2019 Sep 11;15(3):369-381. Epub 2019 Jul 11.

Allergy Unit, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.

Forensic series on fatal anaphylaxis are scarce, probably because the diagnosis of anaphylaxis is often complex and the incidence is low. We report on the medicolegal, demographic and histopathological characteristics of a series of sudden deaths which were investigated for anaphylaxis at the Spanish National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences (INTCF) over a 17-year period (1998-2015). A total of 122 undetermined sudden deaths from a high percentage of Spanish regions (81. Read More

Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2019 10;19(5):475-481

IES Vega del Turia, Teruel, Spain.

Purpose Of Review: To update the influence of the global climate change on Hymenoptera venom allergy.

Recent Findings: Climate change facilitates biological invasions of hymenopteran species and plays a role in the impact of introduced species relevant for human health. It contributes to a rise in the incidence of sting injuries and allergy reactions across the world. Read More

Ann Agric Environ Med 2019 Jun 19;26(2):315-321. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Department of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.

Introduction And Objectives: The study aimed at evaluating the impact of Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) in children and adolescents, on their parents' QoL, taking into account their socio-demographic characteristics.

Material And Methods: The study sample consisted of 101 parents of children and adolescents aged 9-17 years, with a history of systemic reaction after insect sting who were referred for consultations in the tertiary level allergology department. The mean age of the parents was 39 years (SD=8. Read More

Vet Clin Pathol 2019 Dec 22;48(4):620-623. Epub 2019 Jun 22.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.

This case report describes a massive honey bee envenomation in a 14-month-old male Belgian Malinois dog from St. Kitts, West Indies. Acute and delayed onsets of hemolytic anemia, echinocytosis, spherocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemoglobinemia, and hemoglobinuria developed following envenomation. Read More

J Med Entomol 2020 Jan;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

Indian J Public Health 2019 Apr-Jun;63(2):154-156

Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Most deaths related to Hymenoptera are a result of immediate hypersensitivity reactions causing anaphylaxis to one or few stings. However, if the patient is exposed to a large quantity of the venom due to mass/multiple stings, massive envenomation can cause death in nonallergic individuals. Thirty-nine cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) who followed mass attacks by Hymenoptera were seen over 15 years, with a reference period between 2003 and 2017. Read More

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2019 19;180(2):128-134. Epub 2019 Jun 19.

Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Meir Medical Center, Kfar-Saba, Israel.

Introduction: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is considered to be the gold-standard treatment for patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy. Data regarding VIT in bee venom (BV) allergic patients are scarce.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of VIT in patients with exclusive BV allergy and to try to define risk factors for VIT-induced systemic reactions (VIT-ISR) and VIT failure. Read More

Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019 09 21;19(9):919-925. Epub 2019 Jun 21.

c Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, ASST Pini-CTO , Milan , Italy.

: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is an effective treatment for Hymenoptera venom allergy. The occurrence of severe reactions (SRs) to VIT, although infrequent, hampers the achievement of tolerance to insect stings. Risk factors for such reactions include allergy to honeybee venom, concomitant mast cell disorders, and the build-up phase of VIT. Read More

Immunol Invest 2019 Nov 24;48(8):835-843. Epub 2019 May 24.

Department of Allergology, Medical University of Gdansk , Gdansk , Poland.

MicroRNAs are small non-coding molecules playing a significant regulatory role in several allergic diseases. However their role in tolerance induction remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of selected microRNAs during the first three months of wasp venom immunotherapy (VIT). Read More

Allergy 2019 10 28;74(10):1969-1976. Epub 2019 May 28.

Allergy Unit, Hospital S. Giovanni di Dio, Florence, Italy.

Background: Large local reaction to Hymenoptera stings is usually defined as a swelling >10 cm which lasts longer than 24 hours, sometimes associated with erythema, pruritus and blisters. Currently, the risk of subsequent systemic reactions after re-stings is considered low (2%-15%). Therefore, a diagnostic workup in case of large local reaction is often judged unnecessary, as well as adrenaline auto-injector and venom immunotherapy prescription. Read More

Eur Cytokine Netw 2019 Mar;30(1):34-38

People's Hospital of Jianyang, Department of Nephrology, Jianyang 641400, China.

This study mainly to explore the change of serum cytokines in wasp sting patients and the potential correlation between cytokines and acute kidney injury (AKI) due to wasp stings. The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in 33 wasp sting and 24 healthy people were measured by flow cytometry, the level of IL-17 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the laboratory examination including inflammatory indicators, muscle enzyme markers, and renal function were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer, blood analyzer, and urine analyzer. The wasp sting patients were divided into AKI (n = 10) and non-AKI groups (n = 23). Read More

Indian Pediatr 2019 04;56(4):329-330

Department of Pediatrics, RD Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India.

The prevalence of poisoning and bites was 0.76% (48/6308) and 1.24% (78/6308), respectively in a community-based survey in Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh. 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:

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2019 Apr 11;52:e20180418. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Curso de Medicina, Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brasil.

Introduction: We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical profile of reported cases of bee sting incidents in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all reported cases of bee sting incidents among the population of Santa Catarina from 2007 to 2017.

Results: In total, 8,912 cases were reported, corresponding to an overall rate of 12. Read More

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2019;29(4):318-320. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Allergy Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.

Am J Med 2019 10 3;132(10):1239-1241. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson. Electronic address:

Background: A middle-aged woman was taken from an abandoned automobile unconscious and covered with ants in Tucson, Arizona. When hospitalized in July 2018, she had an extensive papular-pustular skin eruption on her abdomen and thigh and disseminated intravascular coagulation. She was stung innumerable times by native golden fire ants (Solenopsis aurea) while sleeping in the vehicle. Read More

Pol Arch Intern Med 2019 Mar 29;129(3):146-147. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Ann Agric Environ Med 2019 Mar 19;26(1):103-108. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Department of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.

Introduction And Objectives: Insect stings are the second trigger of anaphylaxis in children and adolescents, causing a potentially life-threatening reactions. Hence health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important issue for Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) patients. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the impact of HVA on young patients' HRQoL, including their socio-demographic characteristics. Read More

J Emerg Med 2019 Jun 20;56(6):698-700. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Ophthalmology, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.

Background: A variety of insect-related ocular injuries have been reported in the literature. However, no reports have been published documenting injuries resulting from exposure of the ocular surface to ants. This is surprising, given the relatively ubiquitous presence of ants. Read More

Toxicon 2019 May 14;163:1-7. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Department of Nephrology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, 441000, Hubei, China. Electronic address:

Stinging accidents involving wasp venom are a notable cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in Asia. However, very little attention has been paid to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in this type of AKI. The aims of this review are to explore the evidence for the mechanisms and the therapeutic role of renal replacement therapy of wasp venom and AKI. Read More