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FIRE ANT STINGS: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY &
NATURAL REMEDYKevin KF Ng, MD, PhD
Former Associate Professor of MedicineDivision of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Miami,
Florida
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Discovery of Pulmonary Angiotensin Converting Enzyme and its Inhibitor in venom of Bothrops Jararaca
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Mobile, AL
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Statistics according to American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology
500,000 of Americans go to Emergency Room each year.
More than 40 people die from sting anaphylaxis annually.
Fire Ant may be the number one agent of inset stings.
Fire Ants cost Americans $6 billion a year including insecticides.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/insects/
http://www.extension.org/pages/14345/fire-ant-control:-the-two-step-method-and-other-approaches#.VOk8di58z30
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/georgia-woman-dies-fire-ant-sting/story?id=19706086
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Problems: Pain, Itch, infection
Dr. Blake Layton, Extension Entomology SpecialistDepartment of Entomology, Mississippi State University
http://msucares.com/insects/fireants/sting.html
Natural history of fire ant sting from contact to resolution
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1% Systemic Reactions
99% Local Reactions
Skin
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0.95
0.05,
Composition of Fire Ant Venom
Solenopsin
Allergenic Proteins
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Composition & Actions of Fire Ant Venom
95%: Solenopsin A
Angiogenesis inhibitor
neuronal NO synthase inhibitor
Cytotoxic (muscles, nerves, blood cells)
Insecticidal
Antimicrobial (fungus, bacteria, virus)
5%: Allergenic proteins (46)
Phospholipase A
Phospholipase A inhibitor
Cytotoxic (muscles, nerves)
Growth factor
Thioredoxin peroxidase
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What is a Mediator and a Receptor ?
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Stings Inflammation
Pus & Itch
Local Reactions to Fire Ant Stings
Pain, Swelling, Redness ,Warmth,
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Treatment of Fire Ant Stings Inflammation & Itch
Home remedies
Ice
Vinegar
Ammonia
Sodium bicarbonate
Aloe vera gel
Over-the-counter products
Antihistamines (2% Benadry max strength)
Corticosteroids (1% Cortaid max strength)
Local anesthetics (20% Benzocaine max st)
Local analgesics (10% Trolamine salicylate)
Calamine lotion (8% zinc oxide)
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Disadvantages of Current Topical Renedies
Low concentration of active ingredients.
Water-based formulations.
Inefficient and slow absorption.
Actions limited to 2 out of 14 mediators.
Many mediators act unopposed.
Therefore treatment is incomplete.
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Inflammatory Mediators and Current Inhibitors
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Sources of Phytochemicals in flowers, fruits, vegetables, leaves, barks & roots
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Extraction of Phytochemicals
Botanical Products (Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, Barks, Roots in carrier medium).
Homogenizer
Centrifuge
Separation of Supernatant from Residue
Tests on Subjects
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Effects of Phytochemicals on Inflammatory Mediators
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Effects of Phytochemicals on Inflammatory Mediators
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Effect of Phytochemicals on Fire Ant Stings
Untreated for 36 hours Treated for 36 hours
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Hypersensitivity Reactions (anaphylaxis) to Fire Ant Stings
Systemic response:1
%
UrticariaAngioedema
PruritisBronchoconstricti
onHypotensionOrgan failure
Death“Cytokine Storm”
Hospital
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Experimental treatment of Cytokine Storm
Corticosteroids
TNF-alpha blockers
ACE inhibitors and ARB
Gemfibrosil
OX 40 immunoglobulin
Antioxidants
Renin angiotensin system
Renin
angiotensinogen
Angiotensin I
Converting enzyme
Angiotensin II
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CONCLUSIONS
The pathophysiology of acute inflammation has outpaced the treatment of fire ant stings.
The conventional topical treatment of fire ant stings needs to be updated in accordance with new scientific knowledge.
The abundance of phytochemicals in nature that targets multiple mediators of inflammation opens up new frontiers for the treatment of fire ant stings.
The phytochemicals are inexpensive, safe, effective and free from unwanted side effects.