Acute renal failure following hornet stings.

Reports of acute tubular necrosis following envenomation by hornets are rare. A 38-year-old farmer presented with evidence of haemolysis and acute renal failure following multiple hornet stings (Vespa orientalis). Biopsy of skin from the site of the stings showed evidence of vasculitis. Renal biopsy showed characteristic changes of acute tubular necrosis. Intravascular haemolysis due to haemolytic properties of the hornet venom was considered to be chiefly responsible for the renal lesions in this patient.