How to avoid complications related to bee stings? In Brazil, the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance (Anvisa) has just authorized the first tests in real conditions of an anti-venom serum specific to stingsbees. At the origin of this antidote: researchers from the Center for Studies on Poisons in Venomous Animals (Cevap) at the University of Botucatu (Unesp), in partnership with the Vital Brazil Institute in Rio de Janeiro.
Test the anti-venom on 300 people
First, the researchers will administer this anti-venom to 20 patients, starting in April 2016, while respecting specific criteria. “Doctors participating in the project will be responsible for defining which patient can receive the anti-venom and at what dose“, explains Rui Seabra Ferreira, coordinating researcher of Cevap, in a Unesp press release. Then the clinical trial will enter phase 3, ie the antidote will be administered to a larger panel of patients, here up to 300 people. This medication is administered intravenously: “20 milliliters of serum gives the body an amount of antibodies capable of neutralizing 90% of the problems caused by bee stings, the most common in Brazil“says the university. The researchers hope to extend the use of this product to all of Brazil, then to other countries of the American continent largely affected by bee stings.
According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the country has nearly 15,000 cases of bee stings each year, including around 40 fatal cases. The bee venom damages the kidneys, liver and heart. Deaths from bites of this insect are mainly caused by renal failure.
>> To read also:
Bites: 3 natural solutions to relieve them
Against wasps and bees: we adopt the same remedies
Unusual: in China, people claim to treat with bee stings
Insect bites: the number of allergies is increasing
