ants and Urticaria

Arthropods are important in medicine for a multitude of reasons. Their bites and stings may induce allergic reactions, ranging from annoying to life-threatening. Many arthropod products are also capable of inciting allergic responses in sensitized persons. In recent years, bites and stings have gained greater attention owing to increased concern about disease transmission. A common hypersensitivity response to arthropod bites, stings, and products is papular urticaria. This eruption occurs primarily in children, who eventually "outgrow" this disease, probably through desensitization after multiple arthropod exposures. Papular urticaria is most often caused by fleas or bedbugs, but virtually any arthropod is capable of inducing such a reaction. Two arthropod classes of medical importance are the Arachnida (spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites) and the Insecta (lice, fleas, bedbugs, flies, bees, and ants). Animals in these two classes are probably responsible for more morbidity and mortality worldwide than are any other group of venomous creatures. In general, the diagnosis of arthropod bites and stings is dependent on maintenance of a high index of suspicion and familiarity with the arthropod fauna not only in one's region of practice, but also in the travel regions of one's patients. Learning objective At the completion of this learning activity, participants should be familiar with the clinical manifestations caused by a variety of arthropods as well as the treatment and possible sequelae of arthropod attacks.

Topics: Animals; Ants; Arthropods; Bedbugs; Bees; Bites and Stings; Culicidae; Diptera; Humans; Insect Bites and Stings; Lice Infestations; Mites; Scorpion Stings; Scorpions; Siphonaptera; Spider Bites; Ticks; Urticaria; Wasps

Hydrogels are a new bait form, and multiple studies have found minimal potential or actual nontarget impacts associated with their use. However, in 2020, aerial applications of hydrogels containing fipronil unequivocally resulted in honey bee deaths. Here we detail four studies that then were conducted to determine how the bees were exposed to the active constituent and how to modify the aerial treatment protocols to eliminate the risk to bees.. The first trial confirmed the existence of fipronil in aerosol form. The second trial quantified that in specific wind conditions the aerosols were falling to the ground at a maximum distance determined by an approximate 30° angle from the ground to the dispersal point, and that free-falling hydrogels either do not produce aerosols or, if so, at volumes too negligible to be collected or quantified. The third trial confirmed that even bee hives upwind and several hundreds of metres away from the area being baited can be contaminated by the aerosols. The fourth trial found no bee hive mortality as a result of either free-falling bait or moving bee hives 500 m beyond the treatment area.. The aerosol issue is likely to occur with every motorized mechanism dispersing hydrogels. It is possible that the same issue happens with solid dry products if they produce a fine dust when propelled during dispersal. Further research into this issue is warranted. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Topics: Aerosols; Animals; Ants; Bees; Hydrogels; Pest Control; Urticaria

Severe cutaneous allergic vasculitis in a 60 year-old Caucasian male following the bite of the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata (F.) is reported. Over the course of 8 weeks, the pathology progressed from an extensive red papular urticaria to vasculitis with peri-vascular inflammation and ulceration of the skin on the feet, ankles and lower limbs. Many of the affected areas of the skin eventually became covered with black eschar associated with further tissue breakdown and ulcer formation. After debridement, compression dressings, antimicrobial ointment and corticosteroids, complete healing eventually took place with only residual scarring. An awareness of the severe dermatologic reactions caused by a bite of S. geminata, albeit rare, is clinically important. Recognizing the characteristic skin lesions caused by the bite of S. geminata, treated with prompt administration of appropriate chemotherapy will speed recuperation of the patient and reduce possible secondary complications.

Topics: Animals; Ant Venoms; Ants; Humans; Indonesia; Insect Bites and Stings; Male; Middle Aged; Skin Diseases, Vascular; Urticaria; Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous

Topics: Adult; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Ants; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Insect Bites and Stings; Male; Risk Assessment; Urticaria

Topics: Animals; Ants; Humans; Insect Bites and Stings; Skin; Urticaria

(6R*)-[(2S*)-2-hydroxyheneicos-12-enyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (1) degree is the major constituent of the secretion of freshly dissected Dufour's gland of the urticating ant Tetramorium aculeatum. In solution, compound 1 is slowly transformed into (1S*,5R*,7S*)-7-(nonadec-10-enyl)-2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1] nonan-3-one (2) degrees on standing. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 have been established on the basis of their spectral and chemical properties. Compound 1 could be responsible for the urticating properties of the ant.

Topics: Animals; Ants; Exocrine Glands; Lactones; Occupational Diseases; Urticaria

Topics: Animals; Ants; Humans; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous; Urticaria