Allergic reactions to ant poisons
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Abstract
Introduction: Ants are social insects. The species Sonelopsis invicta is the most commonly found in Brazil, mainly in the South, Southeast and Midwest. Accidents involving children and adults are common and can cause serious local and/or systemic reactions. Objective: To report a case of allergic reactions to ant venoms. Case Description: Male, 9 years old, from Rio de Janeiro, presented two episodes at different sites of extensive local allergic reactions with secondary infection after stinging of fire ants. A specialized medical follow-up was initiated and specific ant immunoglobulin E (Sonelopsis invicta) was requested by the Immunocap method, with a result of 39.10 KUA/L (reference value <0.10), confirming the diagnosis of allergic reaction. Comments: The extensive local reaction occurs in 19% of children. Patients who have had extensive local reaction have an increased risk of 5 to 10% of systemic reaction if they are stented again. The pediatrician should be attending to the diagnosis
of reactions, specialized guidelines, management and individualized follow-up of patients.
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