A case of stings in humans caused bySclerodermus sp. in Italy

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Author: Roberto Amerigo Papini
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2014
• Subjects: Sclerodermus; Bethylid wasps; Stings; Italy; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1678-9199-20-11; https://doaj.org/article/77c4ea6efa13476e93bf89e834d858b2

In the last years, stings of Sclerodermus species in humans have been sporadically reported in Italy. In order to draw attention to these bethylid wasps of medical importance, we report the case of documentedSclerodermus sp. stings on the dorsum, abdomen, arms, and thighs of a 40-year-old man and his wife. The sting sites developed raised red itchy rash. The source of environmental contamination was identified in a worm-eaten sofa purchased from a used furniture dealer and placed in the living room about a month and half earlier. The lesions on the man and his wife rapidly healed within 3 to 4 days once they left the house and treatment for the lesions was instituted. Physicians, dermatologists, medical and public health entomologists, as well as specific categories of workers should be aware of the risk of exposure to Sclerodermus stings.