Eosinophilic fasciitis induced by fire ant bites

To describe a case of eosinophilic fasciitis likely related to proximate fire ant bites and review the literature to summarize the etiology and clinical, laboratory, histopathological, and therapeutic aspects of eosinophilic fasciitis.

Report of a case of eosinophilic fasciitis and review of the English language literature using a Medline search from 1950 to January 2007.

We describe the case of a New Orleans woman who developed eosinophilic fasciitis after fire ant bites post-Hurricane Katrina. A careful literature review confirms an association of eosinophilic fasciitis with unaccustomed vigorous exercise, arthropod bites, and borreliosis, among other etiologic agents.

Eosinophilic fasciitis, a rare disorder with unclear pathogenic mechanisms, has been associated with arthropod bites and borreliosis. Fire ant bites should be added to the list of etiologic agents for this disorder.