ARTHROPODS AND STING INTOXICATION.

Arthropods use toxins for defense and kill prey, arthropods include beetles, bees, wasps, spider, ants
scorpions.

Beetles release toxins when pressed or crushed whereas others inject venom using an apparatus which
can cause systemic repercussions in the prey as observed in stings of certain

Spiders and scorpions.

SPIDERS.

Venom of spiders is toxic to sodium ion channels which results into massive release of neural
transmitter.

An important component of spider venom is sphingomyelinase an enzyme that distabilizes

Vessel walls and red blood cell membranes and cause extensive skin necrosis and haemolysis with a risk
of acute renal failure.

CLINICAL SIGNS.

Arterial hypertension or hypotension, pulmonary edema, nausea, vomiting, burning sensation,

Hypertension and death.

DIAGNOSIS.

Based on clinical signs.

TREATMENT.

Use of antiarachidic serum.

Administration of sulfone

Stinging insects

Stinging insects are members of the order Hymenoptera of the class Insecta. Hymenoptera
venoms cause local toxic reactions in all animals and allergic reactions only in those previously
sensitized. Severity depends on the dose of venom and degree of previous sensitization. Major
Hymenoptera subgroups are: Apid, Vespids, Formicids

Apids.

Melittin is thought to be the main pain-inducing component of the venom.

Vespid.

The venom contains phospholipase, hyaluronidases, and the antigen 5 protein, which is the
most allergenic.

Fire ants.

Solenopsis invicta predominates all fire ants and is responsible for an increasing number of
allergic reactions. The venom has hemolytic, cytolytic, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties.

Symptoms of Insect Stings

Local apid and vespid reactions are immediate burning, transient pain, and itching, with an area
of erythema, swelling, and induration up to a few centimeters across. Symptoms and signs of a
fire ant sting are immediate pain followed by a wheal and flare lesion, which often resolves
within 45 minutes and gives rise to a sterile pustule.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of insect stings is clinical. Apid stings are checked for the stinger. Upper and lower
airways are assessed for signs of allergic reaction.

Treatment of Insect Stings

Parenteral epinephrine and antihistamines for systemic allergic reactions, Removal of any apid
stingers, Analgesics and antihistamines for local reactions, Stingers, if present, should be
removed as quickly as possible.