Through natural selection, many animal organs with similar functions have evolved different macroscopic morphologies and microscopic structures. Here, we comparatively investigate the structures, properties and functions of honey bee stings and paper wasp stings. Their elegant structures were systematically observed. To examine their behaviors of penetrating into different materials, we perform...

Through natural selection, many animal organs with similar functions have evolved different macroscopic morphologies and microscopic structures. Here, we comparatively investigate the structures, properties and functions of honey bee stings and paper wasp stings. Their elegant structures were systematically observed. To examine their behaviors of penetrating into different materials, we perform...

Bee stings are commonly encountered worldwide. Various manifestations after bee sting have been described 1 . Local reactions are common. Unusually, manifestations like vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, generalised oedema, acute renal failure, hypotension and collapse may occur. Rarely vasculitis, serum sickness, neuritis and encephalitis have been described which generally develop days to weeks a...

OBJECTIVES To describe wasp and bee species that sting humans, analyse risk factors and clinical features. METHODS A prospective observational study was conducted on patients presenting to Base Hospital Deniyaya with suspected bee and wasp stings from 2011 to 2013. Data were gathered using a questionnaire and specimens of offending insects collected for identification. When the insect specime...

In South Africa bee stings are most commonly caused by either Apis mellifera capensis or A. mellifera scutellata, indigenous species which are notoriously aggressive when compared to European honey bees. According to Statistics South Africa, 109 deaths were documented for the period 2001-2011 as having been caused by hornets, wasps, and bees (ICD10-X26). This appears to be a small number but, a...

Various manifestations after bee sting have been described. Local reactions, such as pain, wheal, flare, edema and swelling, are common and generally self-limiting. Uncommonly manifestations like vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea, generalized edema, acute renal failure, anaphylactic shock, myocardial infarction, hypotension, collapse, pulmonary hemorrhage, acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, and atrial f...

BACKGROUND Data on outcome of insect venom immunotherapy in children are rare. OBJECTIVE We investigated the rate of sting recurrence and outcome of Hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis in children of different age groups treated with immunotherapy. METHODS Data from children consecutively referred for anaphylaxis to Hymenoptera venom were collected using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS Du...