A case of stings in humans caused by Sclerodermus sp. in Italy

Abstract

In the last years, stings of Sclerodermus species in humans have been sporadically reported in Italy. In order to draw attention to these bethylid wasps of medical importance, we report the case of documented Sclerodermus sp. stings on the dorsum, abdomen, arms, and thighs of a 40-year-old man and his wife. The sting sites developed raised red itchy rash. The source of environmental contamination was identified in a worm-eaten sofa purchased from a used furniture dealer and placed in the living room about a month and half earlier. The lesions on the man and his wife rapidly healed within 3 to 4 days once they left the house and treatment for the lesions was instituted. Physicians, dermatologists, medical and public health entomologists, as well as specific categories of workers should be aware of the risk of exposure to Sclerodermus stings.

Ultramorphological Characteristics of Falsogastrallus sauteri Pic (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) and a New Species of Cephalonomia Westwood (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae): A Book-Boring Beetle and Its Natural Enemy in Taiwan

“…In this study, although we did not observe any living Cephalonomia wasps among the books or emerging from the larvae of F. sauteri, the high density of the wasps and Sauter anobiids co-occurring in the books and the absence of any other plausible host of the wasp places little doubt on the parasitic relationship between the two species. Bethylid wasps including Cephalonomia species have been reported to sting human causing painful injury or even allergic responses in many cases [21,42,47,48]. In our study, we show that Cephalonomia wasps are parasitoids of F. sauteri larvae and can occur numerously in indoor environments.…”

Dermatitis caused by arthropods in domestic environment: an Italian multicentre study

“…These venoms contain many pharmacologically active constituents such as histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine, noradrenaline and phospholipase . Among Bethylidae, detailed composition and possible pathogenetic mechanisms of Scleroderma domesticum Klug, 1809 and Cephalonomia gallicola Ashmead, 1887 venoms still remain unclear . Among Formicidae, venom of fire ants ( Solenopsis spp.)…”

“…41 Among Bethylidae, detailed composition and possible pathogenetic mechanisms of Scleroderma domesticum Klug, 1809 and Cephalonomia gallicola Ashmead, 1887 venoms still remain unclear. 42,43 Among Formicidae, venom of fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) contains mostly piperidine alkaloids causing histamine release from mast cells with localized burning sensation typical of a fire ant sting.…”

Effects of Purified Paper (Yellow) Wasp (Polistes flavus) Venom Toxins on Phosphatase Enzyme Activity in Blood Serum, Liver and Gastrocnemius Muscle Tissue of Albino Mice

“…Contents available at Journals Home Page: www.ijzi.net medical and public health entomologists, as well as specific categories of workers should be aware of the risk of exposure to Sclerodermus stings (Papini et al, 2014). Envenomation in-group are highly fatal to humans as it causes severe inflammation, swelling, rhabdomyolysis, renal-insufficiency and severe pain.…”