Severe and fatal mass attacks by 'killer' bees (Africanized honey bees--Apis mellifera scutellata) in Brazil: clinicopathological studies with measurement of serum venom concentrations.

Journal article

In São Paulo State, Brazil, five males, aged between 8 and 64 years, were attacked by 'Africanized' honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata). The estimated number of stings received by each patient ranged from > 200 to > 1000. All five were transferred to intensive care units in São Paulo City. Clinical features included intravascular haemolysis, respiratory distress with ARDS, hepatic dysfunction, rhabdomyolysis (with myoglobinaemia and myoglobinuria), hypertension and myocardial damage ...

Expand abstract

Authors: França, F; Benvenuti, L; Fan, H; Santos, D; Hain, S

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Quarterly journal of medicine
• Volume: 87
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 269-282
• Publication date: 1994-05-01
• ISSN: 0033-5622
• Language: English
• Keywords: Insect Bites and Stings; Phospholipases A2; Animals; Middle Aged; Adult; Child; Bee Venoms; Male; Adolescent; Antigens; Fatal Outcome; Brazil; Humans; Bees; Phospholipases A