[Poisoning by bee sting].
Among the human pathologies produced by venomous animals, bee stings constitute the largest number of accidents in several countries, exceeding the mortality rate caused by other venomous animals such as snakes, spiders or scorpions. The clinical picture after the bee sting may include anaphylaxis or poisoning. The latter is produced by massive attacks and is a serious problem that may put the patient's life at risk. People that are poisoned display hemolysis, rhabdomiolysis and acute renal failure that together with other systemic failures can bring about death. The knowledge of the physiopathological mechanisms involved in the massive attack of bees is crucial for health care professionals as to date we do not have antivenoms with proven clinical efficacy. In this review we include the bee's biological aspects, venom composition and its relation with the occurrence and severity of accidents as well as epidemiological data that can be useful for this type of accidents.
de Roodt
Adolfo R
AR
Area de Investigación y Desarrollo/Serpentario, Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos--ANLIS--Dr. C. G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Salomón
Oscar D
OD
Orduna
Tomás A
TA
Robles Ortiz
Luis E
LE
Paniagua Solís
Jorge F
JF
Alagón Cano
Alejandro
A
D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001516:Bees; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
D001514:Bee Venoms