Pharmacological and Immunological Properties of Wasp Venom

Three Valuable Peptides from Bee and Wasp Venoms for Therapeutic and Biotechnological Use: Melittin, Apamin and Mastoparan

“…Mastoparan exhibits a wide variety of biological effects, including insertion into the membrane bilayer causing membrane destabilization with consequent lysis [ 146 ] or direct interaction with G proteins on the cytoplasmatic face, thus perturbing transmembrane signaling [ 145 , 147 , 148 , 149 ], stimulation of phospholipases, mobilization of Ca 2+ from mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum, and cell death by necrosis and/or apoptosis [ 150 , 151 ]. Thus, key biological activities have been described for this peptide, including antimicrobial activity, increased histamine release from mast cells, hemolytic activity [ 152 , 153 ], induction of a potent mitochondrial permeability transition, and tumor cell cytotoxicity.…”

Brachial Artery Thrombosis following Multiple Wasp Bites

“…Wasp bites are common encounters in general medical wards in Sri Lanka [ 1 ]. Wasps, categorised under insect order Hymenoptera which comes under phylum Arthropoda, are the third largest of all insect orders [ 2 ]. Despite the benefits of wasps, wasp sting may lead to serious health issues ranging from simple local reactions to life-threatening systemic complications including anaphylaxis and arterial thrombosis.…”

“…Vascular thrombosis is a rare manifestation of wasp venom; thus, only few cases have been reported in the literature. The pathophysiology of vascular thrombosis may include vasoactive inflammatory and thrombogenic properties of venom, as well as vascular spasm caused by the venom [ 2 – 4 ].…”

Wasp Sting Envenomation - A Case Report

“…The Phylum Arthropoda constitutes more than 50% of animal species found on earth, of which the insects, spiders belonging to the order Hymenoptera are the main cause for human mortality. 1 The three group of stinging insects under this order belong to the family apidae (bees), Vespidae (wasps) and Formicidae (ants). The wasps are the most aggressive when provoked and its sting is of clinical significance in patients allergic to its venom especially in a case of multiple sting and can cause death due to anaphylaxis as a result of hypersensitivity.…”

“…Local reactions manifested like dyspnoea, generalised oedema, vomiting, diarrhoea, acute renal failure, hypotension and collapse may also occur. 1…”