ants and Drug-Hypersensitivity

Venoms are excellent model systems for studying evolutionary processes associated with predator-prey interactions. Here, we present the discovery of a peptide toxin, MIITX

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Ant Venoms; Ants; Drug Hypersensitivity; Epidermal Growth Factor; Insect Bites and Stings; Mice; Molecular Mimicry; Toxins, Biological

We report a 40-year old man in Uganda with ulcerated skins lesions, hypotension, and anaphylaxis caused by bites of safari ants. Treatment was successful. Physicians should be aware of anaphylaxis caused by ant bites.

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Ants; Drug Hypersensitivity; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Insect Bites and Stings; Insect Repellents; Skin Diseases; Uganda; Wasp Venoms

To study the immuno-regulatory effects of Polyrhachis vicina Roger(PVR) in mice.. By determining the immune function of normal mice and immune function-depressed or enhanced mice after the administration of PVR.. PVR (0.25 g.kg-1.d-1 x 10 d, 0.5 g.kg-1.d-1 x 10 d, 1.5 g.kg-1.d-1 x 10 d, op) had no effects on non-specific immune function (weight of immune organs) and cell immune function (delayed type hypersensitivity, DTH) in normal mice, but could improve the non-specific immune function and fluids immune function (hemolysin assay method) in immune function-depressed mice induced with hydrocortisonun (5 x 10(-2) g.kg-1.d-1 x 5 d). Both depressed DTH and enhanced DTH induced with cyclophosphamide (Cy) at the doses of 80 mg.kg-1.d-1 x 1 d and 250 g.kg-1.d-1 x 10 d ig. respectively were regulated by PVR (1.5 g.kg-1.d-1 x 10 d).. PVR has immuno-regulatory activities in mice.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Ants; Drug Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Immune System; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Materia Medica; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Phagocytosis

Topics: Ants; Azathioprine; Drug Hypersensitivity; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Nervous System Diseases; Sensation