Scorpionism due to Tityus neoespartanus (Scorpiones, Buthidae) in Margarita Island, northeastern Venezuela

Abstract

The first two cases of scorpion envenoming caused by Tityus neoespartanus (Buthidae) are described. RESUMO Descrevem se os dois primeiros casos de escorpionismo por Tityus neoespartanus (Scorpiones, Buthidae). Os acidentes ocorreram no ambiente antrópico (um no domicilio e outro na escola) na aldeia de La

Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tityus pachyurus and Tityus obscurus Novel Putative Na+-Channel Scorpion Toxins

“…Otherwise, in Venezuela, it was reported in the scorpionism evoked by Tityus neospartanus acute pancreatitis and cardiac electrical abnormalities evidenced by premature auricular and ventricular contractions, elevation of the ST segment, depression of the J point, prominent U wave, depression of the ST segment and sinus arrhythmia [82] . These effects are different from those caused by other Tityus species from Venezuela and Brazil.…”

Envenomation by the Scorpion Tityus breweri in the Guayana Shield, Venezuela: Report of a Case, Efficacy and Reactivity of Antivenom, and Proposal for a Toxinological Partitioning of the Venezuelan Scorpion Fauna

“…Of all referred Venezuelan Tityus (n ϭ 70), the species responsible for severe/lethal accidents are T valerae, T zulianus, T valerae (Andean region and south of Lake Maracaibo, respectively), T perijanensis (Perijá range, western Zulia State), T falconensis (Coro Massif, northwestern Venezuela), T pittieri, T isabelceciliae, T discrepans (north-central coastal range), T quirogae, T nororientalis, T caripitensis, and T neoespartanus (northeastern and insular regions). 10,34,35,43,44 Inclusion of the Guayana Shield as an endemic area of scorpionism and of T breweri as a medically important species prompted us to examine available evidence for suggesting a partitioning of the Venezuelan Tityus fauna into toxinological provinces in order to guide health authorities in the design of appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures. Figure 4 presents a proposal for the grouping of the scorpion species responsible for severe/lethal sting cases in Venezuela into toxinological provinces, based on (1) the clinical consequences of the envenomation, 15 and (2) the immunological cross-reactivity of their venoms 40 and their phylogenetic affinity.…”

“…8,9 Additionally, envenoming by Tityus neoespartanus from Margarita Island (northeastern Venezuela) produces a combination of cardiac and gastrointestinal effects. 10 The relevance of a proper taxonomic identification of the offending scorpion is also warranted taking into account that allopatric species can be imported into areas where they do not occur and/or are occasionally extralimital. 11,12 Given the diversity in antigenic terms among scorpion toxins targeting ion channels in excitable cells (responsible for >90% of the lethality of scorpion venoms), the effective use of antivenoms is restricted to the neutralization of venoms that are cross-reactive, which complicates clinical management using heterologous antivenom.…”

Acute kidney injury and pancreatitis due to scorpion sting: case report and literature review

“…The mainstay of pancreatitis pathogenesis due to scorpion sting is the cholinergic discharge induced by its toxins 13 , 35 - 37 . Bartholomew et al .…”

“…The toxin-mediated cholinergic discharge that takes place in the pancreas might promote premature activation of the enzymes produced within the acinar cell. These enzyme precursors, with inflammatory mediators, are released from the damaged pancreatic tissue and are capable of altering the function of the other organs, such as the lungs 37 , 38 . Acute pancreatitis due to scorpion is usually transient, self-limited and subsides until 48 h 17 , 36 , but it could progress to hemorrhagic pancreatitis and lead to death 13 .…”