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

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.

近年来，意大利境内偶有人类被硬皮肿腿蜂属（Sclerodermus）物种蜇伤的零星报道。为唤起学界对这类具有医学重要性的肿腿蜂科（Bethylidae）寄生蜂的关注，本文报告1例经确诊的硬皮肿腿蜂属（Sclerodermus）未定种蜇伤病例：患者为一名40岁男性及其妻子，蜇伤部位覆盖背部、腹部、手臂及大腿。蜇伤处出现隆起性红色瘙痒皮疹。经溯源，环境污染源头为约一个半月前从二手家具商处购入、放置于客厅的虫蛀沙发。二人离开住所并接受皮损治疗后，皮疹于3至4日内快速消退。临床医师、皮肤科医师、医学及公共卫生昆虫学家，以及特定职业人群均应警惕硬皮肿腿蜂蜇伤的暴露风险。