JIST

Abstract

Anaphylaxis to animal bites and stings poses a significant medical risk that vary according to the patient’s response and nature of the insult. Hymenoptera sting mostly cause local toxic reaction and sometimes anaphylactic manifestations especially in individuals with pre-existing comorbidities likes hypertension, chronic diabetes, etc. Among the Hymenoptera insects, wasp possess a significantly higher risk of IgE mediated hypersensitivity` reactions than bees. Usually, death is not an outcome in healthy individuals unless associated with comorbidities. However, we are reporting a case of fatal wasp envenomation in an apparently healthy 47-year-old man stung by a swarm of wasps. He presented with complaints of facial swelling, dyspnoea, and stridor. He succumbed to the anaphylactic shock after days of hospitalisation. Post-mortem histopathology and immunological studies revealed raised venom specific IgE levels and reduced Complement C3a levels. Fatal outcome in such cases can be prevented by early diagnosis and specific management by analysing serum levels of wasp sting venom specific IgE levels and complement C3a levels.