تسجيل الدخول

تسجيل

Invertebrates , Arthropods

المؤلف:  Sue Jickells , Adam Negrusz (Editors)

المصدر:  Clarkes Analytical Forensic Toxicology

الجزء والصفحة:  125

2026-09-28

20

Invertebrates

Arthropods

Ticks, spiders and scorpions (Arachnids) and bees, wasps and ants (Hymenoptera) are part of this group; they usually transmit their toxins by stinging. Their venoms form a diverse group of chemicals with a wide range of toxicological mechanisms. The role of the analytical toxicologist in the management of stinging incidents is limited, clinical treatment being largely dependent on diagnosis of symptoms. Isolated stings from bees, wasps and ants are usually not life threatening, although death may occur through anaphylactic shock. Mass stinging events do take place and are life threatening via the toxic action of the venom injected in large amounts. The spread of the very aggressive Africanised subspecies of the honey bee Apis mellifera is held responsible for hundreds of human deaths. Systemic clinical signs caused by multiple Hymenoptera stings include acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, optic neuritis, atrial flutter, hepatic dysfunction, diffuse intravasal coagulation and respiratory distress. Wasp and ant stings may cause neuro logical symptoms as well. About 150–1000 bee stings and 20–200 wasp stings are thought to induce a critical situation. In all cases of allergic and mass stinging events, the victim should be transported to the emergency ward of the nearest hospital.