A Fatal Case of Bee Venom Anaphylaxis to Bee Sting after Repeated Honeybee Acupuncture

Abstract

Apitherapy, more specifically the use of bee venom, has the potential to induce venom allergies. Although anaphylactic deaths due to honeybee are rare and usually occur in extreme ages, we recently experienced a case of fatal anaphylaxis in an otherwise healthy young female. A 21- ear-old female was treated with honeybee acupuncture for allergic rhinitis 1 year prior to the admission for anaphylaxis. On the day of admission, the patient accidentally stepped on a honeybee and was stung on her toe. She became unconscious within minutes. The patient was transported to a hospital without delay, but on arrival her pulse was not palpable. After an immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, her blood pressure recovered to a near normal level in 5 minutes. However, on the second day of admission, diffuse cortical dysfunction was detected on electroencephalography. On the 5th day, a neurological examination revealed deterioration in the brainstem function and her self-respiration was lost. She expired on the 10th day. The patient's serum honeybee venom-specific IgE level was 63.3 KU/L (class 5) by RAST. We report a severe life- threatening case of honeybee venom anaphylaxis in a young healthy adult in whom the sensitization occurred through honeybee acupuncture.

A Fatal Case of Bee Venom Anaphylaxis to Bee Sting after Repeated Honeybee Acupuncture

Abstract

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