Citation

Lin CJ, Wu CJ, Chen HH, Lin HC. South. Med. J. 2011; 104(5): 378-379.

Affiliation

From the Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan; and Graduate Institute of Medical, Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Southern Medical Association)

DOI

10.1097/SMJ.0b013e318213ebee

PMID

21606727

Abstract

Wasp bites usually bring temporary discomfort and pain, but on occasion, they can cause serious infections and fatal allergic reactions. We report on a patient who experienced massive wasp stings and developed multiple organ failure, including acute kidney, hepatic failure, and circulatory collapse 4 days later. He was treated with aggressive fluid resuscitation, inotropic agent, intravenous injection of steroids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and hemodialysis. After intensive treatment, his liver function recovered one month later. Recovery of renal function was delayed, and the patient needed temporary regular hemodialysis. The pathology of kidney biopsy showed acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. This case shows that toxic reactions following massive wasp attacks may happen several days after the fact and result in severe, multiorgan system dysfunction.

Language: en