A case of severe anaphylaxis after Ropalidia marginata (a paper wasp) sting in Sri Lanka

Introduction: Ants, bees and wasps are insects in Order Hymenoptera. Victims of Hymenoptera sting can present with nuisance pain to more severe form of anaphylaxis [1]. Ropalidia marginata (Kaladuruwa) is the most common social wasp of Peninsula of India [2]. Traditional medication is a common practice in rural Sri Lanka for insect sting. Nest of the Ropalidia marginata is crushed and mixed with water to make a paste which is applied on the painful area over the stinging site of paper wasp as a common traditional treatment.

Although there are many cases of allergic reactions after wasp sting, the individual species of Ropalidia marginata causing severe anaphylaxis is not reported. We report a school boy presented with severe anaphylaxis after this paper wasp sting in Deniyaya, Sri Lanka.