Comparison of the Scorpionism Caused by Centruroides margaritatus, Tityus pachyurus and Tityus n. sp. aff. metuendus Scorpion Venoms in Colombia

Abstract

Among other scorpion species, Colombia has two genera of the Buthidae family Centruroides and Tityus, considered to be dangerous to humans. This research shares scientific knowledge aiming to a better understanding about the pathophysiological effects of such venoms. The venom of the three species: Centruroides margaritarus, Tityus pachyurus, and T. n. sp. aff. metuendus with biomedical interest were studied. An initial pre-glycemic sample was taken from ICR mice. They were later intraperitoneally inoculated with doses of 35% and 70% of LD50 of total venom. Poisoning signs were observed during a 6-h period to determine the level of scorpionism. After observation, a second glycemic sample was taken, and a histopathological evaluation of different organs was performed. This work revealed that all three venoms showed considerably notorious histopathological alterations in main organs such as heart and lungs; and inducing multiple organ failure, in relation to the glycemia values, only C. margaritatus and T. n. sp. aff. metuendus showed significant changes through manifestation of hyperglycemia. According to the Colombian scorpionism level; signs were mild to severe affecting the autonomous nervous system.

Characterization of a Lab-Scale Process to Produce Whole IgG Antivenom Covering Scorpion Stings by Genus Tityus and Centruroides of Colombia

“…T. pachyurus LD 50 value (53.3 µg/mice or 2.6 mg/kg) showed a lower LD 50 value against the other venoms in concordance with the result published by Otero et al and Barona et al [4,6]. The LD 50 values from T. pachyurus, T. fuhrmanni, and Centruroides, were similar to previous LD 50 reports (although below) by Mendoza-Tobar et al, Gomez et al, and Estrada-Gomez et al, respectively [5,13,14]. Only T. asthenes venom showed a difference from the previous report by Gomez et al [13].…”

Unveiling the Protein Components of the Secretory-Venom Gland and Venom of the Scorpion Centruroides possanii (Buthidae) through Omic Technologies

“…Fifty complete sequences of coding transcripts in the transcriptome and fourteen proteins in proteome analyses were identified. These peptides are the most abundant in the venom of scorpions of the Centruroides genus, and are the main toxins responsible for causing the symptoms and signs of envenoming in mammalians [ 16 ]. C. hirsutipalpus , with 77 β-NaTxs, is thus far the scorpion described as having the highest number of transcripts assumed to code for sodium channel toxins affecting mammals [ 17 ], whereas C. limpidus contains 59 transcripts [ 10 ], Tityus obscurus 48 [ 18 ], and C. hentzi 36 transcripts [ 19 ].…”

An overview of some enzymes from buthid scorpion venoms from Colombia: Centruroides margaritatus, Tityus pachyurus, and Tityus n. sp. aff. metuendus

“…metuendus. These species are known to cause scorpionism and significant histopathological damage, renal alterations, and cardiovascular effects, as demonstrated in recent studies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. However, there has been limited research on the composition and biological activity of the different compounds in these scorpion venoms.…”