L’envenimation scorpionique au Maroc : scorpions du genre Androctonus, Buthus et Hottentota

Abstract

Around the world and especially in summer, the scorpion envenomation is a real public health problem. In Morocco, its gravity is due to the diversity of genera of the Buthidae family whose their venom is potentially lethal, mainly the genus Androctonus, Buthus and Hottentota. The areas most affected by this problematic are the central and southern of Morocco. The lethality of scorpion's venom primarily affects children. It is rich in neurotoxic polypeptides that have targeted ion channel membrane Na(+), K(+) activated or not by Ca(++). The toxins polymorphism causes pathophysiological disorders. The diversity of symptomatic treatment in the absence of immunotherapy is due to variability in clinical pictures, which depends on the species involved and the patient at risk. The objective of this review is to highlight the magnitude of the scorpion envenomation by describing its epidemiological characteristics, elucidate the pathophysiological effects of the venom of the most dangerous scorpions in Morocco the genus Androctonus, Buthus and Hottentota, and their therapeutic treatment.

Clinical features and prognosis of severe scorpion envenomation in children

“…As far as we are aware, this work is one of the largest observational studies, exclusively comprising children admitted to PICU for SSE. In accordance with the above data, most studies report that the majority of scorpion stings occur in the summer and at night time 15–17 . Between the years 1999 to 2008, the lethality of those envenomed was reported by the MAPC to be 2.7–7.1%, with up to 83% of deaths in children less than 15 years old 15,16,18 …”

“…[15][16][17] Between the years 1999 to 2008, the lethality of those envenomed was reported by the MAPC to be 2.7-7.1%, with up to 83% of deaths in children less than 15 years old. 15,16,18 Alternatively, in the USA, only one death of a child from scorpion sting was reported in the literature from 1970 to 2013. This disparity, compared to our findings in Morocco, is likely to be due to the strong supportive therapy with aggressive airway management, as well as the lower incidence of stings, with only one deadly scorpion found in few southern states, while scorpions with deadly venom are found throughout the country of current study.…”

“…In accordance with the above data, most studies report that the majority of scorpion stings occur in the summer and at night time. [15][16][17] Between the years 1999 to 2008, the lethality of those envenomed was reported by the MAPC to be 2.7-7.1%, with up to 83% of deaths in children less than 15 years old. 15,16,18 Alternatively, in the USA, only one death of a child from scorpion sting was reported in the literature from 1970 to 2013.…”

Tb II-I, a Fraction Isolated from Tityus bahiensis Scorpion Venom, Alters Cytokines’: Level and Induces Seizures When Intrahippocampally Injected in Rats

“…The behavioral parameters such as salivary and lachrymal secretions, in which animals present an increase in the production of fluids in mouth and eyes, WDS, characterized by shakes in the body, penile erection, and myoclonus, characterized by muscular spasms in the body, were observed for later comparison between animals of the control group and the experimental group. Similar symptoms are also caused by other scorpion species such as T. serrulatus [ 69 ], Androctonus and Buthus [ 70 ].…”