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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
09:45
Harvesting Venom Toxins from Assassin Bugs and Other Heteropteran Insects
Published on: April 21, 2018
Massive hymenoptera envenomation in a 3-year-old
Patrick Leight West1, Nathanael J McKeown, Robert G Hendrickson
1Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. westp@ohsu.edu
Pediatric Emergency Care
|January 6, 2011
Summary
Massive envenomation from native US Hymenoptera can cause severe reactions. Physicians should consider admitting children with over 50 stings for observation and lab tests.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Massive Hymenoptera envenomation poses significant health risks due to venom load.
- Previous cases in the US involved Africanized honeybees.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old boy sustained over 120 stings from native yellow jackets.
- Initial symptoms included vomiting and numerous lesions; edema developed later.
- Creatine kinase levels peaked at 2085 U/L 32 hours post-envenomation.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates that native US Hymenoptera species can cause severe delayed toxic reactions.
- Delayed effects are attributed to the direct toxic impact of a large venom dose.
Implications:
- Physicians should be vigilant for severe reactions from endemic Hymenoptera.
- Admitting pediatric patients with >50 stings for 24-hour monitoring is recommended.
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