Abstract: [Abstract] Objective: To investigate the expression level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the serum of patients following wasp sting, and the effects after methylprednisolone plus treatment. Method: patients following wasp sting were randomly divided into treatment and control groups, the paitents of two groups were given organ support combined therapy; patients in treatment group were treated by intravenously injection of methylprednisolone 0.5g /d in the first three days. The expression level of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 in the tow group of patients were detected by ELISA at 0h and 2h respectively, organ damage were evaluated at 0h, 72h after admitted to hospital respectively, and the death rate of the two groups were compared. Result: The expression level of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 at 0h in the patients of treatment group and control group were 3.21 ± 0.84, 113.25 ± 35.61, 162.49 ± 79.33 and 3.17 ± 0.79,109.83 ± 32.58,157.71 ± 73.65 respectively, showed no statistically significant difference (P> 0.05); at 2h , the expression level of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 in tow groups were 8.11 ± 2.34,37.95 ± 11.68,53.99 ± 25.86 and 15.67 ± 5.21,314.76 ± 86.40,452.07 ± 211.09 respectively, there was a significant statistical difference (P <0.05) when compare to the control group. At 72 hour, the organ dysfunction of patients in methylprednisolone plus treatment group is significantly lower compare to the patients in control group (P <0.05 or P <0.01). The cure rate in methylprednisolone treatment group was significantly higher compare to control group (P <0.05). Conclusion: Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the multiple organ dysfunction caused by wasp stings, methylprednisolone pulse therapy can significantly reduce this damage caused by wasp sting. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy may reduce the mortality of acute wasp sting, and to improve the long-term prognosis.

Key words: Wasp sting, Multiple organ dysfunction, Methylprednisolone, Cytokine, Anti-inflammatory therapy