Anaphylaxis caused by stings from the Solenopsis invicta, lava-pés ant or red imported fi re ant

Abstract

Ants are social insects with species of medical interest, such as the fi re ants (Solenopsis sp.). The sting causes inflammation, vesicles and sterile pustules, which may cause allergic phenomena and even anaphylactic shock. We describe a patient who suffered a large number of stings and an episode of syncope with fall in blood pressure and complete regression of symptoms after resuscitation and medication for anaphylaxis. Considering the clinical manifestations and images of wheals and blisters on the patient’s feet at the time of syncope, this report should serve as a warning for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition and even for counseling and prevention regarding patients exposed to this risk.

Fire ants: What do rural and urban areas show us about occurrence, diversity, and ancestral state reconstruction?

“…The nests are founded, especially, in open and sunny areas, such as pastures (Pacheco and Vasconcelos, 2007;Rabello et al, 2018), crops (Lunz et al, 2009) and urban (Ulloa-Chacon, 2003;Pacheco and Vasconcelos, 2007;Zeringóta et al, 2014). Fire ants cause damage to biodiversity (Dejean et al, 2015), crops (Chan and Guenard, 2020) and also health problems for people who are allergic to the venom (Haddad Junior and Larsson, 2015). Farmers estimate losses of 10% to 80% in production due to fire ants, especially related to S. invicta (Chan and Guenard, 2020).…”

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