Africanized Bee Stings and Pathogenesis of Acute Renal Failure

Massive Envenomation by Bees Sting in a Child in Togo

“…Hyaluronidase increases capillary permeability and facilitates the spread of toxins. The apamine is neurotoxic [1]- [5]. The attacks in urban areas as in our case are rare; it is often occurred most of times in rural areas [6].…”

“…The risk of an acute renal failure is real from 100 stings because of the hemolysis induced by the venom. Kidney impairments during envenomations are due to direct toxicity of the venom on the tubules, on the prolonged hypovolemia or on the myoglobinuria second to tubulopathy and hemoglobinuria [1] [7] [10]. They usually heal without sequel but some cases that require hemodialysis as in our patient have been described [3] [6] [10] [11]; sometimes nephrotic syndrome can occur in the distance.…”

“…African's bees are very aggressive and their attacks are very often massive [1] [2]. The intensity of the envenomation and the prognosis are directly related to the number of stings.…”

Cardiovascular profile after intravenous injection of Africanized bee venom in awake rats

“…These substances may provoke ischemia in the myocardium, as well as intense hypotension 18 . There are reports of changes in arterial pressure, hypertension have been described as part of the "autonomic storm" 3,9,16,19,25 , and especially hypotension, in human victims of multiple Africanized bee stings 6,9,22 , as well as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 13,18 . Delayed reactions occurring only 18 h after envenomation have also been reported, with a rapid course and multiple organ failure 16 .…”

“…Human victims of multiple stings manifest hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, cardiotoxicity and acute renal failure (ARF) due to acute tubular necrosis (ATN), as well as changes in arterial pressure, hypotension 6,9,18,22 and hypertension 3,9,16,19,25 .…”