Clinical Pathology Alterations in Pregnant and Non‐Pregnant Rats following Scorpion Envenomation

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation is a growing problem in many countries, especially among women and children. Existing diagnostic criteria are not sufficiently specific to allow antivenin administration in the absence of a confirmed scorpion sting. This study was performed to evaluate conventional haematological and serum chemical measurements as potential indices of scorpion envenomation. Adult, cycling nulliparous and near-term primiparous, white Wistar rats received a single subcutaneous injection of crude venom (600 lg/kg) from the Buthidae scorpion (Buthus occitanus tunetanus). All envenomed rats were observed for external signs and symptoms of toxicity until necropsy, which entailed terminal blood collection at either 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 hr after venom administration (n ¼ 6 per reproductive state per time-point) for evaluation of selected clinical chemistry and haematological analytes. Control cohorts (matched for age and reproductive state) received saline injections subcutaneously and were necropsied at 0.5 hr. Almost all envenomed rats but no control animals displayed physical symptoms of intoxication, including agitation, mastication with hypersalivation, and/or vocalizing. Reproducible alterations in clinical pathology parameters were lacking in venom-treated rats regardless of reproductive status, although modest but significant Rho correlations suggested that mild haemoconcentration, haemolysis, renal function deficits and possibly coagulation difficulties developed over time.

Perinatal effects of scorpion venoms: maternal and offspring development

“…Maternal blood alterations including hyperglycemia, increase in sodium and creatinine concentration were observed [35]. Ben Nasr et al [31] showed that the Buthus occitanus tunetanus venom causes biological changes in the plasma of pregnant females, such as alterations in blood pressure and in the lipid peroxidation levels, and increase in the concentration of creatinine, β-estradiol and progesterone.…”

Scorpion sting nephropathy

“…The vasoconstrictor actions were temporary phenomena lasting for ∼10 min akin to that of an adrenergic vascular escape phenomenon seen in the enteric circulation. In another study, effects of Buthus occitanus tunetanus venom was compared in pregnant and non-pregnant rats—plasma creatinine was higher in pregnant rats 30 min after venom exposure when compared to their non-pregnant counterparts; the plasma creatinine dropped significantly at 4 h only in the non-pregnant rats [ 38 ]. Haemoconcentration was noted in non-pregnant rats that were partly offset by anaemia in pregnant animals.…”

“…There was a significant negative correlation of blood urea nitrogen in pregnant rats and a positive correlation of blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio in their non-pregnant counterparts. Polyuria (contributing to haemoconcentration), metrorrhagia (possibly due to coagulation defects), significant reduction in platelet size (in non-pregnant animals contributing to coagulation defects) and haemolysis may predispose to renal insufficiency [ 38 ].…”