A case of ant sting caused by brachyponera chinensis

Abstract

A 78-year-old woman with itchy skin eruptions on her neck came to us near the beginning of summer. She brought in the insects that appeared to have stung her. The insects had a brownish-black body, with reddish-brown appendages, wings, and a stinger at the posterior end of the body, which are features of Brachyponera chinensis (Japanese name: Oohariari). Red papules arranged in a line were seen on the neck of the patient. B. chinensis is native to China, Korea, and Japan, excluding Hokkaido. There have been 11 reported Japanese cases of ant sting by B. chinensis, 7 of which presented signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis associated with B. chinensis stings has also been reported in Korea and in the United States, where it is an invasive species. Although our patient was mildly affected, it is important to note that B. chinensis stings, like those of the tropical re ants, can cause anaphylaxis.