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

Abstract

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...

The Roles of Some Scorpions,Hemiscorpius lepturusandAndroctonus crassicauda, in a Scorpionism Focus in Ramhormorz, Southwestern Iran

“…However, it is not consistent with the results of Dehgani et al (2010) in Kashan; they reported that the percentage of stings were about the same for males and females. The results of the present study were also not in accordance with the results of AlSadoon and Jarrar ( 2003 ) and Jarrar and AlRowaily ( 2008 ) in Saudi Arabia. This could be due to two reasons: first, different cultural factors, and second, more people are at risk of scorpionism in Ramhormoz than the other areas studied.…”

“…Both species, H. lepturus and A. crassicauda , targeted the limbs with frequencies of 72% and 67%, respectively, compared to the other parts of the body. This result agrees with studies of Al-Sadoon and Jarrar ( 2003 ) and Jarrar and Al-Rowaily ( 2008 ) in Saudi Arabia. The total data, regardless of species, followed a similar trend in terms of sites of scorpion stings on the bodies of humans ( Table 2 ).…”

A Climatological Study of Scorpion Sting Incidence From 2007 to 2011 in the Dezful Area of Southwestern Iran, Using a Time Series Model

“…This is consistent with other studies of southwest Iran ( Chitnis et al. 1993 , Vazirianzadeh and Samie 2006 ), Saudi Arabia ( Al-Sadoon and Jarrar 2003 , Jarrar and Al-Rowaily 2008 ), and Turkey ( Ozkan and Kat 2005 , Ozkan et al. 2006 ).…”

Epidemiological aspect of scorpion sting in Bandar Abbas, Iran, during 2009-2011

“…This finding could be due to their culture, job, geographic location, and social activity of men in comparison to women. Kassiri et al in Khuzestan reported 52.6% of scorpion sting cases in men and 47.4% of cases in women ( 15 – 19 ). In our study the greatest rate of scorpion stings occurred among people in the age range of 21–30, but Talebian & Doroodgar reported the highest rate among children less than 10 ( 18 ).…”

“…Our results showed two peak periods of scorpion sting, one in May and one in October. The findings of studies in several areas of Iran and in neighboring countries, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, indicated high incidences of scorpion stings in the summer ( 14 , 15 , 19 – 21 ). Maybe the poor correlation between our results and the results of these other studies was due to the climate in Bandar Abbas and its geographic location.…”