Hypersensitivity to Fire Ant Venom

Stafford, Chester T.

doi:10.1016/s1081-1206(10)63493-x

Cited by 94 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Reactions of human beings to the sting of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, vary from a burning sensation to serious anaphylactic shock, and even death (Stafford 1996;Xu et al 2012). Because of pronounced hemolytic, insecticidal, antibiotic, and allergenic activities, the venom of S. invicta has been a subject of numerous investigations (Chen & Shang 2012;Fox 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lethality of Red Imported Fire Ant Venom to Argentine Ants and Other Ant Species

Greenberg¹,

Kabashima²,

Allison³

et al. 2008

Annals of the Entomological Society of America

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Using natural venom collected from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, we determined the dose of venom necessary to kill 50% of the workers (LD50) of Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr), and several other ant species that the fire ant may encounter in California. Of the species tested, the Argentine ant was most susceptible to the venom. On a weight-adjusted basis the red imported fire ant was 330 times more resistant to the venom than the Argentine ant. In addition, the native southern fire ant, Solenopsis xyloni McCook, was significantly more susceptible to the venom than S. invicta. Formica perpilosa Wheeler was most resistant to the venom when the LD50 was not adjusted for weight, requiring a dose 684 times higher than that of the Argentine ant. When we tested synthetic venom (solenopsin A, which is the main component of S. xyloni venom) against the Argentine ant, the LD50 value was unchanged. However, both S. invicta and S. xyloni were ≈6 times more susceptible to the synthetic compound than to natural venom. Therefore, S. invicta venom is less toxic to fire ants while being just as toxic to Argentine ants as the simpler, more primitive venom of S. xyloni. Fire ant gaster flagging and venom dabbing applies enough venom to the Argentine ant to be lethal and may help explain the superior interference competition shown by the red imported fire ant.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lethality of Red Imported Fire Ant Venom to Argentine Ants and Other Ant Species

Greenberg¹,

Kabashima²,

Allison³

et al. 2008

Annals of the Entomological Society of America

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“…[1][2][3] In the United States the IFA may be the most common cause of insect sting hypersensitivity in endemic regions, 4 and public health concern has heightened because of the continued expansion of IFA habitat. 1 Recently, sporadic cases of allergic reactions after stings by Pachycondyla chinensis ants, which belong to the Poneriae subfamily of the Formicidae family, have been frequently reported in Korea.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of pachycondyla chinensis venom allergy in an ant-infested area in Korea

Cho

Lee

et al. 2002

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

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Asthma, rhinitis, other respiratory diseasesRecently, immediate allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, after Pachycondyla chinensis ant stings have been frequently reported in Korea. To estimate the prevalence of these reactions and the sensitization rate to P chinensis, we undertook a visit-questionnaire survey of the 327 adult residents living in a town in an ant-infested area in Korea. Skin prick tests with 6 common inhalant allergens, 3 bee venom allergens, and P chinensis whole body extract were performed on all ant-allergic subjects, on 86 asymptomatic residents, and on 37 controls outside the area. The serum-specific IgE to P chinensis extract was determined by ELISA. Seven subjects (2.1%) reported that they had experienced systemic allergic reactions to P chinensis stings; 4 of them had anaphylactic reactions. Large local reactions occurred in an additional 5 subjects (1.6%). All subjects with systemic allergic reactions had positive skin prick test results to P chinensis extract, whereas 23.3% of asymptomatic residents and 2.7% of the controls showed positive skin prick test results. The serum-specific IgE level was significantly higher in the subjects with systemic reactions than in the subjects with local reactions, the asymptomatic sensitizers, and the nonatopic controls. Sensitization to bee venom was found in 25% of the P chinensis-allergic subjects; this was significantly higher than the 3% rate seen in nonsensitized subjects. In conclusion, we report a 2.1% prevalence of systemic allergic reactions after P chinensis stings, based on self-reported symptoms, in an ant-infested area in Korea.

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“…The obtained extracts -venom alkaloids and hydrocarbons from body wash and crushed heads -were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and published literature ( VAN DEN DOOL;KRATZ, 1963; ADAMS, 1995;LECLERCQ et al, 1994;1996). The n-alkane standards were used to label retention indexes as whole numbers 8000, 1200, 1500, 1700 and 2700 (ADAMS, 1995).…”

Section: Gc-ms Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The oven temperature was programmed for the samples from 50°C to 290°C at 12°C/min with a final hold time of 10 min. Undecane or pentadecane in hexane (0.02 mg/mL) was used as internal standards Retention Indexes: Resulting alkaloids and cuticular hydrocarbons were identified by matching their retention indices and acquired mass spectra with those registered in the mass spectra library (Wiley 275) of the GC-MS data analysis system and published literature ( VAN DEN DOOL;KRATZ, 1963;ADAMS, 1995;LECLERCQ et al, 1994;1996). The n-alkane standards were used to label retention indexes as whole numbers 8000, 1200, 1500, 1700 and 2700 (ADAMS, 1995).…”

Section: Gc-ms Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They attack viciously when disturbed, and their painful stings usually develop into unpleasant posterior reactions, normally including pustule formation and intense eritreme (STAFFORD, 1996). Sensitized individuals can develop more serious allergic reactions, which in particular subjects or extreme situations may result in anaphylactic shock and death (STABLEIN et al, 1985;STAFFORD, 1996;BARNARD, 1989).…”

Section: On the Venom Proteins Of The Fire Ants: Proteomic Analysis Omentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biologia, morfologia e bioquímica de veneno da formiga lava-pés Solenopsis saevissima Smith (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Fox¹

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The fire ant Solenopsis saevissima Smith is one of the insects most frequently involved in accidents in Brazil, yet being a poorly studied species. The series of studies presented here aimed at filling some of this gap in knowledge about this common and important ant species. Some aspects of the field biology of S. saevissima are shown in comparison with other fire ants: a unique list of associated arthropods collected from field inspections in Southern Brazil is given, which includes several new taxa, one of which is herein described for the first time. The larvae of S. saevissima are described for the first time and compared with larvae from close species, culminating with the demonstration that larval characters within this group cannot be feasibly employed in species-level phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses.In terms of internal anatomy, a detailed ultrastructural description of the venom apparatus of S. saevissima is given, wherein special emphasis was given to the particular organisation of each region of the apparatus, suggesting there are specialised areas for the production of each venom compound. The venom of this species was subject of biochemical analyses for the first time, generally illustrating that the venom of S. saevissima is >90% made of a simple mixture of cis-and trasundecil-pyperidinic alkaloids, being the remainder an aqueous solution of toxic proteins, comprising neurotoxins, and traces of phospholipases and allergens. The venom of S. saevissima proved being less diverse in toxins than the venom of Solenopsis invicta, possibly explaining why S. invicta is a successful invasive species while S. saevissima apparently is not. Moreover, herein is included the first record of intraspecific variation in the nature of venom alkaloids, providing biochemical evidence for the existence of cryptic species in S. saevissima. Taken together, the obtained results contribute to the body of knowledge about fire ant populations in South America, and are proof of the existence of paramount facets yet to be investigated in deeper details.Keywords: fire ant, taxonomy, systematics, venom toxins, venomous arthropod, morphology. vi Organização da teseEsta tese teve como objetivo geral apresentar resultados sobre vários aspectos da biologia e bioquímica de veneno das formigas lava-pés, em especial S. saevissima. Estes resultados foram aqui agrupados em capítulos individualizados de acordo com o assunto de que tratam. Cada capítulo já foi escrito e organizado em formato de publicação, logo todos estão no idioma internacional inglês e incluem resumo, introdução, discussão e conclusões próprias. Ao fim da tese, panorama geral sobre as partes é traçado para que se possa avaliar o que foi obtido no conjunto, e uma série de perspectivas futuras são delineadas.O capítulo 1 apresenta uma lista de artrópodes inquilinos encontrados no interior dos formigueiros de lava-pés durante as coletas no campo, bem como faz comentários sobre a distribuição das espécies nas áreas investigadas. É enfatizada a carência de estudo...

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Hypersensitivity to Fire Ant Venom

Cited by 94 publications

References 37 publications

Lethality of Red Imported Fire Ant Venom to Argentine Ants and Other Ant Species

Lethality of Red Imported Fire Ant Venom to Argentine Ants and Other Ant Species

Prevalence of pachycondyla chinensis venom allergy in an ant-infested area in Korea

Biologia, morfologia e bioquímica de veneno da formiga lava-pés Solenopsis saevissima Smith (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

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