[A case of anaphylaxis after a prairie dog bite].

Several cases of anaphylaxy after hamster bites have recently been reported. We report a case of anaphylaxis after a bite from a prairie dog. To our knowledge, this is the first case to be reported in Japan. The patient was a 26 year old male who was transported to our hospital suffering from dyspnea. The dyspnea occurred within several minutes after a bite from a prairie dog to his left little finger. He was successfully treated by the administration of epinephrine, dopamine and hydrocortisone, and transfusion. Allergies to allergens derived from saliva are speculated to be involved in the mechanism of anaphylaxis in cases caused by hamster bites. We speculate similar mechanisms may also be involved in the case of our patient.