Adverse Neurologic Reactions to the Sting of the Imported Fire Ant

Abstract

While the cutaneous manifestations of the imported fire ant (IFA) sting are well known, neurologic sequalae are much more unusual. We report 2 cases of grand mal seizures associated with the sting of the IFA. The first patient suffered numerous stings without evidence of systemic reactions prior to the onset of the seizure. The second patient had manifestations of anaphylaxis prior to the occurrence of seizure. In both cases, the onset of seizures was delayed. As the geographic range of the IFA increases and more patients are stung, unusual reactions will be seen in greater frequency.

Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure After Fire Ant Bites

“…While local allergic responses to fire ants are well-known, systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis, with life threatening laryngeal edema, bronchospasm, and hypotension, are less common 5–11. Seizures, serum sickness, and nephritic syndrome have also been reported with fire ant bites 6,11,12. Herein, we report an unusual case of acute renal failure because of rhabdomyolysis after red fire ant bites to alert the medical community of this rare complication that may occur in the victims with multiple fire ant bites.…”

Flood‐related skin diseases: a literature review

“…The systemic reaction from fire ant stings has been estimated to be about 16% of the cases, while 0.6–2% of them have life‐threatening anaphylaxis . Khan et al .…”

“…There were multiple cases of fatal anaphylaxis in the English literature . Other systemic reactions, including nephrotic syndrome and neurological disorders, such as mononeuropathy, seizure, optic neuritis, and demyelination of the brain, had rarely been reported …”

Bees, Wasps, and Ants (Order: Hymenoptera)

“…70,71 Case reports associate the development of acute interstitial nephritis after wasp stings secondary to hypersensitivity response in the absence of hemolysis or rhabdomyolysis. 75 Complications of fi re ant stings include secondary infection, primarily in immunocompromised hosts (e.g., diabetics, peripheral vascular disease), and rarely cutaneous sporotrichosis (dimorphic fungus). 73 Although case reports associate some neurologic disorders (multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, myasthenia gravis, Guillain -Barr é syndrome, Parkinson ' s disease) with recent hymenoptera envenomation, the causal role of Hymenoptera venom in the etiology of these neurological diseases is questionable.…”