An epidemiological review of scorpion stings in Venezuela: the Northeastern region

Sousa, Leonardo De; Parrilla-Álvarez, Pedro; Quiroga, María Isabel

doi:10.1590/s0104-79302000000200002

Cited by 28 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…[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%

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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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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“…During the decade 1980-1990, spider bites were the fourth largest cause of mortality due to animal envenoming in this country, with a much lower frequency than for snake bites: snakes, n o = 586 (66.9%); bees, n o = 170 (19.4%); scorpions, n o = 91 (10.3%); spiders, n o = 3; (0.3%); centipedes, n o = 2 (0.2%); and others, n o = 25 (2.9%) 5 . However, no clinical reports or taxonomic diagnoses were made in any of those cases of spider bites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

First case of human latrodectism in Venezuela

Kiriakos

Núñez

Parababire

et al. 2008

Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop.

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The first case of envenoming by Latrodectus geometricus in Venezuela is described. The accident occurred at the victim's home, in Aragua de Barcelona, Anzoátegui State. The 31-year-old female victim was bitten twice on the left scapular region, in quick succession (within seconds). She developed a hyperactive state of the central, autonomic and peripheral nervous systems with minor local symptoms.Key-words: Latrodectus geometricus. Araneae. Theridiidae. Latrodectism. Venezuela. RESUMODescreve-se o primeiro caso de envenenamento por Latrodectus geometricus na Venezuela. O acidente ocorreu na residência, em Aragua de Barcelona, Estado Anzoátegui. A paciente de 31 anos de idade foi picada, consecutivamente duas vezes, em segundos, na região escapular esquerda. Ela desenvolveu um quadro de hiperatividade do sistema nervoso central, autonômico e periférico com escassa sintomatologia local. Palavras-chaves:Latrodectus geometricus. Araneae. Theridiidae. Latrodectismo. Venezuela.

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“…Some of these patients presented electrocardiographic abnormalities due to 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. This suggests the presence of premature repolarization syndrome and primary repolarization disorders of ischemic type 11 . For this geographical region (northeastern region of the State of Monagas), the species Tityus caripitensis 7 23 and Tityus quirogae 6 have been implicated as responsible for the severe sting accidents recorded in that area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Margarita Island (among the islands in northeastern Venezuela) is known to be inhabited by only two buthid scorpions, Tityus neoespartanus 16 and Rhopalurus laticauda. The latter species has the widest distribution range of all Venezuelan taxa 17 18 , but in fact it is the least venomous of all Venezuelan scorpions tested toxicologically to date 11 . Tityus neoespartanus inhabits the island's tropophilous humid forests.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%