DEATH FROM AN INSECT STING: A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Postmortem diagnosis of anaphylaxis remains a challenge for pathologists due to the complexity of pathogenetic factors and the absence of pathognomonic data. We describe the case of a 57-year-old man where the combination of autopsy findings, immunohistochemical investigation, laboratory examinations with serum tryptase dosage, supported by anamnestic-circumstantial data, provided the necessary elements for postmortem diagnosis of fatal respiratory arrest due to anaphylactic shock caused by a hornet sting. In addition we illustrate the results of a literature review of the last ten years in which cases subjects died from anaphylactic shock caused by an insect sting.