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Anaphylaxis to stings and bites

Robert J Heddle
Med J Aust 2006; 185 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00564.x
Published online: 4 September 2006

Insects that commonly cause anaphylaxis in Australia are honeybees, jack jumper ants and wasps. Honeybee (Apis mellifera) sting is the most common cause of sting anaphylaxis in most areas of Australia, except where jack jumper ants (Myrmecia pilosula) occur (in native woodland areas in southern and eastern Australia). In some regions of Australia, “European wasps” (Vespula spp) and “paper wasps” (including Polistes and Ropalidia spp) make significant contributions.


  • Department of Respiratory Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA.


Correspondence: bob.heddle@fmc.sa.gov.au

Acknowledgements: 

I would like to thank Associate Professors Simon Brown and Raymond Mullins for their advice in preparation of this article.

  • 1. van der Linden PW, Hack CE, Struyvenberg A, van der Zwan JK. Insect-sting challenge in 324 subjects with a previous anaphylactic reaction: current criteria for insect-venom hypersensitivity do not predict the occurrence and severity of anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1994; 94: 151-159.
  • 2. Golden DBK. Insect sting allergy and venom immunotherapy: a model and a mystery. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005; 115: 439-447.
  • 3. Brown SGA, Wiese MD, Blackman KE, Heddle RJ. Ant venom immunotherapy:a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Lancet 2003; 361: 1001-1006.
  • 4. Brown SGA, Blackman KE, Stenlake V, Heddle RJ. Insect sting anaphylaxis: prospective evaluation of treatment with intravenous adrenaline and volume resuscitation. Emerg Med J 2004; 21: 149-154.

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