Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after bee sting

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) usually follows a viral infection or an immunization and is thought to be an immunomediated disease. We describe a patient with ADEM after multiple yellow jacket bee stings. The patient recovered after treatment with a high dose of methylprednisolone. Although the pathologic mechanism exact remains unclear, potential cross-reactivity between bee toxins and the central nervous system myelin could induce demyelination. ADEM should be considered a rare complication of bee stings. Received: 15 April 2002 / Accepted in revised form: 5 December 2002 Correspondence to C. Boz