Expanding habitat of the imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) : A public health concern

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 105; no. 4; pp. 683 - 691
• Main Authors: Kemp, Stephen F., deShazo, Richard D., Moffitt, John E., Williams, David F., Buhner, William A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.04.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Allergic diseases; anaphylaxis; Anaphylaxis - prevention & control; Animals; Ant Venoms; Ant Venoms - immunology; Ants; Biological and medical sciences; chemical control; chemical control measures; fire ants; Formicidae; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; geographical distribution; habitats; Humans; hypersensitivity reactions; immunology; Immunopathology; Immunotherapy; Imported fire ant; insect bites and stings; Insect Bites and Stings - prevention & control; insect control; Medical sciences; Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control; methods; Nuisances; Population Surveillance; Population Surveillance - methods; prevention & control; public health; Skin allergic diseases. Stinging insect allergies; Solenopsis invicta; Solenopsis richteri; United States; USA; vaccines; venom vaccine; venoms; whole-body vaccine; United States; North America; America; chemical control measures; IFA; whole-body vaccine; USDA, APHIS, PPQ; Imported fire ant; anaphylaxis; WBV; Solenopsis invicta; Solenopsis richteri; hypersensitivity reactions; RAST; immunotherapy; venom vaccine; Human; Immunopathology; Allergy; Formicidae; Insecta; Hypersensitivity; Sting; Vaccination; Review; Formicoidea; Prevention; Anaphylaxis; Sanitary control; Treatment; Arthropoda; Immunotherapy; Venom; Hymenoptera; Invertebrata; Aculeata
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1067/mai.2000.105707

Residents in the southeastern United States would hardly describe life with the aggressive imported fire ant as peaceful coexistence. The continued spread of these insects has produced agricultural problems, changes in the ecosystem, and increasing numbers of subjects with sting sequelae, including hypersensitivity reactions, secondary infections, and rare neurologic sequelae. Evolutionary changes have facilitated their expansion northward into Virginia and westward into California, and increasing urbanization will likely permit further expansion. Recent reports of building invasion with sting attacks inside occupied dwellings, including health care facilities, heighten public health concerns. This article reviews the medically important entomology, clinical aspects of stings, and the current approaches to chemical control of fire ants. We also propose directions for future research and treatment.(J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:683-91.)