Peer-review started: March 17, 2016
First decision: April 19, 2016
Revised: April 28, 2016
Accepted: May 31, 2016
Article in press: June 2, 2016
Published online: June 28, 2016
The primary purpose of this article was to review the current literature regarding the clinical consequences of centipede envenomation in humans, in order to determine whether the bite of these arthropods is neurotoxic to humans or not. A thorough search of the literature regarding the clinical consequences of centipede bites in humans was applied, with great respect to neurological symptoms potentially caused by such bites. Centipede bite commonly causes only local reactions, which usually resolve within a few days without sequelae. The patients in the majority of centipede envenomations describe a painful but benign syndrome. However, mild constitutional symptoms are relatively frequent. Remarkably, centipedes can rarely cause severe systematic reactions such as anaphylaxis or even hypotension and myocardial ischemia. Factors such as patient age, comorbidity, anatomic site of envenomation, and size/species of centipede should be considered when evaluating a centipede envenomation victim. According to the current literature, the centipede bite does not seem to be neurotoxic to humans. However, it commonly causes symptoms mediated by the nervous system. These include local and generalized symptoms, with the first dominated by sensory disturbances and the second by non-specific symptoms such as headache, anxiety and presyncope. Based on our results, the answer to our study’s question is negative. The centipede bite is not neurotoxic to humans. However, it commonly causes symptoms mediated by the nervous system, which include primarily local pain and sensory disturbances, as well as generalized non-specific symptoms such as headache, anxiety and vagotonia.
Core tip: Centipede bite commonly causes only local reactions, which usually resolve within a few days without sequelae. The patients in the majority of cases describe a painful but benign syndrome. Mild constitutional symptoms are relatively frequent, whereas severe systematic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, hypotension and even myocardial ischemia, are rare. According to the current literature, the centipede bite does not seem to be neurotoxic to humans. However, it commonly causes symptoms mediated by the nervous system. These include local and generalized symptoms, with the first dominated by sensory disturbances and the second by non-specific symptoms such as headache, anxiety and vagotonia.