J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2000 Jun;20(3):551-552.

A case of anaphylaxis by bee venom acupuncture

• Lee TW
• Lee JA
• Kim MK

Abstract

We experienced a case of anaphylaxis by bee venom acupuncture in a 28-year old man. He had bee venom acupuncture on the right ankle due to sprain, experiencing nuchal rigidity, chest tightness and dyspnea 30 mins later. Two tablets of antihistamine prescribed by herb doctor did not improve his symptoms at all. He visited Chungbuk National University Hospital emergency room, where only wheezing was auscultated. He fully recovered after treatment with epinephrine, antihistamine and aminophylline intravenously. His sinus X-ray showed mucosal thickening at maxillary sinus and PC20-methacholine was 8.2 mg/ml. The only positive reaction to bee venom (0.1 microgram/ml) was found at skin prick test with 55 inhalant allergens and bee venom using the same agent at acupuncture. He had a history of generalized urticaria after a honey bee stung his hand 20 years earlier. This case states a very serious and important message that venom acupunctures without taking bee stinging history meticulously and without skin test for bee venom can be very dangerous.

Keyword

bee venom acupuncture; anaphylaxis

MeSH Terms

Acupuncture*
Adult
Allergens
Aminophylline
Anaphylaxis*
Ankle
Bee Venoms*
Bees*
Bites and Stings
Chungcheongbuk-do
Dyspnea
Emergency Service, Hospital
Epinephrine
Hand
Honey
Humans
Maxillary Sinus
Muscle Rigidity
Respiratory Sounds
Skin
Skin Tests
Sprains and Strains
Tablets
Thorax
Urticaria
Venoms
Allergens
Aminophylline
Bee Venoms
Epinephrine
Tablets
Venoms