Epileptic attacks associated with wasp sting-induced anaphylaxis

We report the case of a patient who suffered two epileptic attacks, each one associated with an anaphylactic shock due to wasp venom. He had no history of atopy nor any known diseases. Previous wasp stings had been well tolerated. An IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to the venom was shown both by cutaneous and immunologic tests. Specific IgE against Polistes spp. venom was 0.86 kU/I (RAST method), and intradermal tests with Polistes spp. venom were positive at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml. Cutaneous tests and serum specific IgE against Vespula spp. and Apis mellifera venoms were negative. In addition to that, wasp venom immunotherapy has been a highly effective treatment. Although convulsions may occur as a complication of anaphylaxis, only a few cases have been reported in the literature because of wasp venom. In our patient, it seems more likely that the epileptic attacks were due to anoxemia due to hypotension caused by vasodilatation and cardiac involvement in anaphylaxis.