Citation

Mendonça-da-Silva I, Monteiro WM, Sachett JAG, Barbosa ES, Cordeiro-Dos-Santos M, Lacerda MVG, Melo GC, Costa AG, Val FFA. Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. 2020; 54: e20200319.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical)

DOI

10.1590/0037-8682-0319-2021

PMID

33338119

Abstract

Bee venom is a natural toxin composed of several peptides. Massive envenoming causes severe local and systemic reactions. We report two cases of severe bee envenomation, of which one was fatal. We also describe clinical characteristics and immune markers. Both victims suffered from respiratory distress, renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, and shock. They required invasive mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs, and renal replacement therapy. Moreover, serum levels of chemokines, cytokines, and cell-free circulating nucleic acids demonstrated an intense inflammatory process. Massive envenoming produced systemic injury in the victims, with an uncontrolled inflammatory response, and a more significant chemotactic response in the fatal case.

Language: en