Transient cerebral ischemic attack caused by Hymenoptera stings: the brain as an anaphylactic shock organ.

Abstract

Forty-two patients with severe hypersensitive reactions caused by Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) sting(s) were studied clinically. Central nervous systemic reactions were observed in 30 out of 42 patients (71.5%); they occurred in 20 patients (47.5%) with hypersensitive cardiovascular damage and in 10 patients (23.8%) without cardiovascular symptoms. A considerable part of these hypersensitive reactions in the central nervous system may be considered as typical signs and symptoms of the transient cerebral ischemic attack (TIA). The clinical findings provide strong evidence that the brain is a frequented anaphylactic shock organ and many anaphylactic reactions of the central nervous system might be regarded as a specific form of TIA.