Epidemiological survey of scorpion envenomation in southwestern Morocco

Touloun, Oulaid; Slimani, Tahar; Boumezzough, Ali

doi:10.1590/s0104-79302001000200006

Cited by 42 publications

(37 citation statements)

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“…Our study also showed that the majority of scorpion stings occur in July, corroborating data from the medical literature (2,11,25). Like other works, the present work shows that the sting frequency increases in the warmest months throughout the globe (16,23,(26)(27)(28)).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of scorpion stings in children in fez, Morocco

Abourazzak¹,

Achour²,

Arqam³

et al. 2009

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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Scorpion stings are a public health problem in Morocco, especially among children, who experience the most severe cases. Epidemiological and clinical findings on scorpion stings in Fez, Morocco, were evaluated in this investigation. Of 163 cases that required medical attention, 62.6% were male children. The mean age of patients was 4.8 ± 3.4 years. The mean time between stings and first medical attention was 3.36 ± 2.5 hours. Almost all cases occurred in the summer (94%) and extremities represented the most frequent sting sites (86.5%). Local pain, hyperemia, scarification, vomiting, sweating, restlessness, tachycardia and tachypnea were the observed clinical symptoms. Regarding severity, 55.2% of patients belonged to class III, followed by class II (26.4%) and class I (18.4%). None of our patients received antivenom; however, all of them were treated symptomatically depending on clinical manifestations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of scorpion stings in children in fez, Morocco

Abourazzak¹,

Achour²,

Arqam³

et al. 2009

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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“…Nevertheless, it is likely that some stings could not be recorded. In Morocco 40% of stung patients turn to traditional medicine (9). Whereas in Algeria, the stability of indicators, especially after 2001, suggests that most of the envenomed patients made use of the health services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence and severity of scorpion stings in Algeria

Laid¹,

Boutekdjiret²,

Oudjehane³

et al. 2012

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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Scorpion stings are a public health problem in the Maghreb region. In Algeria, epidemiological data were collected over the past twenty years by the Algerian health authorities. This study is an analysis of morbidity and mortality data collected from 2001 to 2010. Annual incidence and mortality due to scorpion envenoming were 152 ± 3.6 stings and 0.236 ± 0.041 deaths per 100,000 people (95% CI), respectively. The risk of being stung by a scorpion was dramatically higher in southern areas and central highlands due to environmental conditions. Incidence of envenoming was especially higher in the adult population, and among young males. In contrast, mortality was significantly higher among children under 15 years, particularly ages 1-4. Upper limbs were more often affected than lower limbs. Most stings occurred at night, indoors and during the summer. Data collected since 2001 showed a reduction of mortality by nearly 50%, suggesting that the medical care defined by the national anti-scorpion project is bearing fruit.

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“…3 Similar studies in Jordan and Morocco have shown a high rate of scorpion sting envenomation with several deaths. [17][18][19] In some countries, such as Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela, scorpion envenomation is considered a real public health issue. [20][21] In the city of Durango in Mexico, 1608 deaths were recorded in a 30-year period, with an average of 800 to 1000 deaths per year in all Mexico [21][22] while in the past 20 years, there have been no reported fatalities in the US due to scorpion stings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…15 Globally, there are dangerous species such as Tityus stigmurus, T. serrulatus and T. brazilae in Brazil, 20,25,30 Centruroides suffusus in Mexico, 16 Hemiscorpion lepturus in Iran, 31 Centruroides sculpturotus in the United States, Mesobuthus tamulus in India 32 and Androctonus maure-tanicus in North African countries. [18][19]33 Local pain was the primary presenting complaint in our study. This finding is in agreement with the results of other reports from Saudi Arabia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological aspects of scorpion stings in Al-Jouf Province, Saudi Arabia

Jarrar¹,

Al-Rowaily²

2008

Ann Saudi Med

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BACKGROUND:Information on scorpion stings is available for many parts of Saudi Arabia, but not for Al-Jouf Province. METHODS: We reviewed and analyzed 1449 cases of scorpion stings that presented to the emergency department of the hospitals and medical centers in Al-Jouf Province during a 2-year period (2005)(2006). RESULTS: The majority of patients (92.7%) manifested class I envenomation with local pain at the sting site as the primary complaint. Systemic toxicity was noticed in 7.3% of cases but no deaths were reported. Scorpion stings were recorded throughout the year with the highest seasonal incidence in the summer (64.3%) and the lowest during the winter (10.6%). The highest monthly incidence was in June (21.5%) and the lowest in December (1.5%). Most of the patients were male (77.3%) and the age of 44.2% of victims ranged between 15 to 30 years. Diurnal stings exceeded the nocturnal ones with a ratio of 3:2, and most of the stings were located mainly on the exposed limbs (88.6%), especially the lower limbs (51.7%). Leiurus quinquestriatus and Androctonus crassi-cauda were incriminated in most recorded cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that scorpion stings are common in Al-Jouf Province, especially during the summer. The overall threat to human health was found to be low. Scorpion sting syndrome is a medical problem that represents a real threat in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia. [1][2][3][4][5] Annually, thousands are stung by scorpions in Saudi Arabia with an average of 14 500 stings per year. 3 While considerable information is available about scorpion sting syndrome in most districts of Saudi Arabia, little is known about scorponism in Al-Jouf province. 4 The present study aims to assess the risk of scorpion stings together with the efficacy of scorpion antivenom therapy, and to clarify the epidemiological features of scorpion stings in this province. METHODSThis study was based on 1449 cases of scorpion stings submitted to the emergency department at the hospitals and medical centers of cities and towns of Al-Jouf province, Saudi Arabia (Skaka, Domat Al-Jandal, Tabarjal and Qorayat) (latitude, 29°47 N, longitude 40°06 W) over a period of 2 years ( January 2005-December 2006). The victims belonged to ten nationalities (Saudi and non-Saudi). The data were extracted from the victim records and analyzed by age, sex, time of sting and submission (month and time of day), sting location on body, scorpion species, presenting complaint, systemic symptoms, received treatment, period of observation and outcome of each sting. The clinical severity of each case was assessed according to Abroug's classification,6 where the envenomation cases were sorted into class I: local symptoms at the site of sting; class II (symptomatic): thrill, sedation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hypertension; class III (systemic): cardiovascular, respiratory, and/or neurological disorders. RESULTSThe total number of scorpion stings reviewed in Al-Jouf province over the period (2005)(2006) was 1449 ( Table 1). T...

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Epidemiological survey of scorpion envenomation in southwestern Morocco

Cited by 42 publications

References 5 publications

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of scorpion stings in children in fez, Morocco

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of scorpion stings in children in fez, Morocco

Incidence and severity of scorpion stings in Algeria

Epidemiological aspects of scorpion stings in Al-Jouf Province, Saudi Arabia

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