Risk factors caused by scorpion stings and envenomations in the province of Kelâa Des Sraghna (Morocco)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The present study aims to elucidate the risk factors involved in deaths caused by scorpion envenomation. A retrospective study was carried out in the province of Kelâa des Sraghna from 2003 to 2004. The hospital charts of scorpion envenomation cases treated in the Essalama Hospital in Kelâa des Sraghna were exhaustively analyzed. Our study contains 31 cases of death among 470 hospitalization cases. Most stings had occurred during the hot period peaking in July and August (54.6%). Moreover, the scorpion stings occurred at night in 60.1% of the cases, between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. In addition, all age groups were affected by envenomation, with a higher frequency in children aged less than 15 years (68.3%). The envenomation rate (class II + class III) was 70.9%. The statistical analysis of the data shows that being less than 15 years old, having been stung during the night and belonging to class III are risk factors that aggravate vital prognosis of hospitalized patients. Furthermore, clinical severity factors, elicited by relative risk analysis, are cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological vital distresses, with relative risks of 14.84, 11.92 and 48.33, respectively. The results of our study clearly displayed the severity and extent of the scorpion envenomation problem. Thus, great attention must be paid to this region of Morocco by the national health authorities.

Epidemiological review of scorpion stings in Qatar

“…This study has recorded 111 cases of scorpion stings over a period of 36 months (October 2010 to September 2013), where all of the cases were found to be class I according to Abroug’s classification, both facts reflects the low gravity of this clinical problem in the state of Qatar. In other studies, 13 none of the class I patients on the same classification system with localized signs and symptoms progressed to death. In the current study, the higher rate of stings in young males (72.9%) compared with females (27%) could be attributed to the demographic and social aspects in Qatar.…”

Toxicological and epidemiological studies of scorpion sting cases and morphological characterization of scorpions (Leiurusquin questriatus and Androctonus crassicauda) in Luxor, Egypt

“…Only about 25 species worldwide are considered dangerous to humans [11]. Scorpion activity period in Egypt is warm months presented in spring and summer; these small temporal variations may be explained by environmental conditions and the thermophilic nature of scorpions [7]…”

Epidemiological and spatial analysis of scorpion stings in two regions of Morocco: Marrakesh-Tensift-Al Haouz and Souss-Massa-Draa

“…Des Sraghna Province showed a higher envenomation frequency in children aged less than 15 years [21].…”