A fatal case caused by massive honey bee stings

Turk J Pediatr. 2015 Nov-Dec;57(6):611-614.

Abstract

Bee venom is a complex substance which acts in different ways; local or systemic anaphylaxis associated with IgE and direct toxic effects of the large volume of injected venom. We report a 10- year-old boy who was the vulnerable of 5989 honey bee attacks. To the best of our knowledge, this case had the ultimate number of honey bee stings in the literature, until now. He was admitted to pediatric intensive care unit after 3 hours of incident. Plasmapheresis was started to remove circulating venom that can cause many systemic side effects. Unfortunately, multiorgan failure developed on the 2nd day of admission due to severe hemolysis and rabdomyolysis. Additional therapies modalities, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, and antihypertensive drugs were added to the treatment during the disease process. Despite all of the treatments, the patient was failed on 12th day of hospitalization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis / etiology*
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bee Venoms / adverse effects*
  • Bees
  • Child
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Insect Bites and Stings / complications*
  • Insect Bites and Stings / therapy
  • Intensive Care Units, Pediatric
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure / etiology*
  • Plasmapheresis / methods*
  • Renal Dialysis / methods
  • Respiration, Artificial / methods

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Bee Venoms