Hemolytic anemia, spherocytosis, and thrombocytopenia associated with honey bee envenomation in a dog. 2019

Rajeev Nair, and Emily A Riddle, and Mary Anna Thrall
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.

This case report describes a massive honey bee envenomation in a 14-month-old male Belgian Malinois dog from St. Kitts, West Indies. Acute and delayed onsets of hemolytic anemia, echinocytosis, spherocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemoglobinemia, and hemoglobinuria developed following envenomation. The dog recovered after treatment with glucocorticoids and supportive therapy. Spherocytosis, hemolysis, and thrombocytopenia in patients with massive bee envenomation are likely due to the direct toxic effects of the primary components of bee venom, melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2 ). Mellitin causes hemolysis by forming large pores in erythrocytes resulting in leakage of hemoglobin and also causes spectrin stiffening and resultant echinocyte and spherocyte formation. Melittin also stimulates PLA2 , a hydrolase that causes echinocytosis and spherocytosis, in vivo and in vitro, and mitochondrial breakdown in platelets. However, delayed manifestations could be attributed to immune-mediated mechanisms from the generation of antibodies against damaged erythrocytes and platelet membrane proteins.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007299 Insect Bites and Stings Bites and stings inflicted by insects. Insect Bites,Insect Stings,Bite, Insect,Bites, Insect,Insect Bite,Insect Sting,Sting, Insect,Stings, Insect
D008297 Male Males
D001772 Blood Cell Count The number of LEUKOCYTES and ERYTHROCYTES per unit volume in a sample of venous BLOOD. A complete blood count (CBC) also includes measurement of the HEMOGLOBIN; HEMATOCRIT; and ERYTHROCYTE INDICES. Blood Cell Number,Blood Count, Complete,Blood Cell Counts,Blood Cell Numbers,Blood Counts, Complete,Complete Blood Count,Complete Blood Counts,Count, Blood Cell,Count, Complete Blood,Counts, Blood Cell,Counts, Complete Blood,Number, Blood Cell,Numbers, Blood Cell
D004283 Dog Diseases Diseases of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). This term does not include diseases of wild dogs, WOLVES; FOXES; and other Canidae for which the heading CARNIVORA is used. Canine Diseases,Canine Disease,Disease, Canine,Disease, Dog,Diseases, Canine,Diseases, Dog,Dog Disease
D004285 Dogs The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065) Canis familiaris,Dog
D000743 Anemia, Hemolytic A condition of inadequate circulating red blood cells (ANEMIA) or insufficient HEMOGLOBIN due to premature destruction of red blood cells (ERYTHROCYTES). Anemia, Hemolytic, Acquired,Anemia, Microangiopathic,Haemolytic Anaemia,Hemolytic Anemia,Hemolytic Anemia, Acquired,Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia,Acquired Hemolytic Anemia,Anaemia, Haemolytic,Anemia, Acquired Hemolytic,Anemia, Microangiopathic Hemolytic,Haemolytic Anaemias,Hemolytic Anemia, Microangiopathic,Microangiopathic Anemia,Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemias
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001514 Bee Venoms Toxins obtained from Apis mellifera (honey bee) and related species. They contain various enzymes, polypeptide toxins, and other substances, some of which are allergenic or immunogenic or both. These venoms were formerly used in rheumatism to stimulate the pituitary-adrenal system. Apis Venoms,Honeybee Venom,Honeybee Venoms,Apitoxin,Bee Venom,Venom, Bee,Venom, Honeybee,Venoms, Apis,Venoms, Bee,Venoms, Honeybee
D001516 Bees Insect members of the superfamily Apoidea, found almost everywhere, particularly on flowers. About 3500 species occur in North America. They differ from most WASPS in that their young are fed honey and pollen rather than animal food. Apidae,Apis,Apis mellifera,Apis mellifica,European Honey Bee,Honey Bee Drone,Bee,Bee, European Honey,Drone, Honey Bee,European Honey Bees,Honey Bee Drones,Honey Bee, European
D013102 Spherocytes Small, abnormal spherical red blood cells with more than the normal amount of hemoglobin. Spherocyte

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