Epidemiology of bee stings in Campina Grande, Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study aims to investigate the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of bee sting cases recorded between 2007 and 2012 in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba state, Brazil. Data were collected from the database of the Injury Notification Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health.ResultsA total of 459 bee sting cases were retrospectively analyzed. The average annual incidence was 19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Cases were distributed in all months of the year, with higher prevalence in September and February. Most victims were men aged between 20 and 29 years. The highest incidence of cases was recorded in urban areas. Victims were stung mainly on the head and torso and received medical assistance predominantly 1 to 3 hours after being stung. The most frequent clinical manifestations were pain, edema and itching. Most cases were classified as mild, and three deaths were reported.ConclusionsThe high incidence of envenomations provoked by bees in Campina Grande suggests that it may be an important risk area for accidents. Since several medical records lacked information, clinical-epidemiological profile of bee sting cases in the studied region could not be accurately determined.The current study provides relevant data for the development of strategies to promote control and prevention of bee stings in this area. Further training for health professionals seems to be necessary to improve their skills in recording clinical-epidemiological information as well as in treating bee sting victims.

Hymenoptera stings in Brazil: a neglected health threat in Amazonas State

“…This may occur because most cases come from urban areas, where transportation to health care is faster. The most frequent systemic clinical manifestations were vagal (17 [29.31%]) and neurological (18 [31.03%]) signs, which was corroborated by other studies 11,12 . Here we showed for the first time that bee stings, head injuries, and time to medical assistance could be applied as good predictors for systemic manifestations among reported cases of Hymenoptera injury in Amazonas state.…”

“…Time elapsed from sting to medical assistance was less than 3 hours in majority of records (319 [75.41%]) as described in other studies 11,12 . This may occur because most cases come from urban areas, where transportation to health care is faster.…”

“…Results showed that registers comprise mainly children aged 0-10 years (31.57%). Records from young men aged 10-20, and 20-30 years were 15.13% and 16.315, respectively ( Table 1) 11,12 . This finding probably reflects indigenous rituals such as those from Sateré-Mawé ethnicity, in which pre-teens, as a comingof-age ritual, must put their hands inside a glove containing bullet ants belonging to the genera Paraponera and Dinoponera ("Tucandeira's ritual"), known to cause severe pain 13 .…”

“…This could be useful as a clinical tool for risk classification. Although local pain and edema are the most common symptoms, clinical manifestations as anaphylaxis, vasculitis, nephrosis, neurites, encephalitis, serum sickness, urticaria, joint pain, and fever can also be present 6,12 . Since these systemic manifestations can lead to death, especially by allergenic mechanisms, health surveillance systems must be aware of these clinical features 15 .…”

Introducing of a New Sting Agent of Velvet Ant Dentilla sp. (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in Kashan, Centerl of Iran (2014 - 2015)

“…Intense anaphylactoid reactions happen sometimes when venoms directly stimulate mast cells. While the vast majority of stings cause only minor problems, stings cause a significant number of deaths(48).…”