1,482 results match your criteria: "Scorpion Envenomation"

The 48 y as a pediatrician, serving children and families was beyond attending to their presenting complaints. The combined roles as a child health doctor, medical teacher, researcher and administrator were interesting, nevertheless a tightrope walk. The lessons and wisdom that emerged from my learning journey, guided by my esteemed mentors, made me realise that the history and physical examination remain as the foundation of clinical assessment of a well or an ill child, even when we rely on technology to make a diagnosis.

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A previously healthy middle-aged man in his 40s with a history of red scorpion envenomation presented to the emergency department for the management of an acute stroke syndrome, involving the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory, that developed 12 hours after the scorpion sting. He presented to the hospital 15 hours following the stroke. The activation of the autonomic nervous system by the Indian red scorpion venom is known to produce severe systemic manifestations, including cardiogenic shock and acute pulmonary oedema.

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Immunosuppressive therapies in scorpion envenomation: new perspectives for treatment.

Front Toxicol

November 2024

Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Scorpion envenoming is a relevant and neglected public health problem in some countries. The use of antivenom is widespread in many regions, targeting specific species of scorpions. However, the uncontrolled proliferation and adaptation of these animals to urban environments, combined with limited access to treatments in remote areas and delays in antivenom administration contribute to a significant number of fatalities from scorpion-related incidents.

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Advancements in diagnostic techniques for scorpion venom identification: A comprehensive review.

Toxicon

January 2025

Microbial Biotechnology and Protein Research Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India; Division of Life Sciences, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Vigyan Path Garchuk, Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati, 781035, Assam, India; Academy of Science and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India. Electronic address:

Scorpion envenomation's ignored public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries is alarming. Particularly dangerous for small children and the elderly, it can cause severe problems and even death. Recent studies have proposed the creation of rapid, easy, species-specific, and sensitive detection kits as an alternative to the methods currently used to identify scorpions.

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Article Synopsis
  • Scorpion stings are a major public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical areas, with varying venom profiles leading to different symptoms of envenomation.
  • Scorpion venoms contain unique peptides that could be valuable for drug development, prompting the need for a database cataloging scorpion species and their venom components.
  • ScorpDb is a new database focused on Iranian scorpions, providing research access to venom data and symptoms, with plans to expand to include more varieties of scorpions in the future.
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Venom characterization of Venezuelan scorpion Tityus caripitensis.

Toxicon

December 2024

Fundación Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA), Carretera Nacional Hoyo de la Puerta, Valle de Sartenejas, Baruta, Venezuela.

Article Synopsis
  • Tityus caripitensis is an endemic scorpion from northeastern Venezuela, causing sting incidents, and this study is the first to explore its venom's biological, biochemical, and electrophysiological properties.
  • The venom exhibits toxicity to mice with an LD50 of 20.2 μg/gr, and SDS-PAGE analysis identified 7 protein fractions, including potential neurotoxins in the 6-8 kDa range.
  • The venom caused significant changes in blood chemistry and affected sodium and potassium ion channels, and while it is less toxic than Tityus discrepans, they share molecular similarities that are important for antivenom treatment.
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Scorpion envenomation, a grave public health concern, is primarily driven by the potent neurotoxins chlorotoxin and leiurotoxin present in Leiurus species venom. Developing effective treatments is crucial to mitigate its impact. Utilizing a drug-repositioning bioinformatics-based approach, potential inhibitors of these neurotoxins were identified from Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs.

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Article Synopsis
  • In warmer lowland regions, scorpion stings pose serious health risks, often leading to emergencies.
  • Scorpion envenomation can be particularly lethal early on due to potential respiratory and cardiovascular failures.
  • A 4-year-old boy developed an ischemic brain infarct within 24 hours after being stung, and he was treated with several medications and supportive care.
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Development and evaluation of a recombinant multi-epitopic protein (TsMEP) as an antigen candidate for Tityus serrulatus antivenom production.

Int J Biol Macromol

December 2024

Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address:

Scorpionism is Brazil's most prevalent envenomation. Treatment typically involves the use of heterologous antivenoms derived from the immunization of horses with crude T. serrulatus venom (TsV).

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Article Synopsis
  • A systematic review of 72,168 scorpion sting cases in Saudi Arabia over five years aims to classify the severity of envenomation using Abroug's scale, highlighting the need for standardization in assessing these incidents.
  • The review identified 49 relevant articles, with 26 meeting criteria; findings indicate that 20-52% of scorpion sting victims are asymptomatic, while the majority experience local symptoms like pain and swelling.
  • Complicated cases (Class III) involve severe neurological and cardiac symptoms, and of the 16,745 hospitalized victims, treatment refusal occurred in 1,371 cases, emphasizing variations in hospitalization duration and patients' responses to treatment.
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This contribution highlights the emergence of a newly endemic region for scorpion envenoming in South America, covering eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and the midwestern Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. These areas have not historically been known to harbor life-threatening scorpion species. Tityus confluens, a parthenogenetic species of medical significance in Argentina, has been identified in severe and lethal human cases in Bolivia and Paraguay.

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Myocardial Ischemia after Severe Scorpion Envenomation: A Narrative Review.

Am J Trop Med Hyg

December 2024

Department of Intensive Care, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia.

Article Synopsis
  • Severe scorpion envenomation can lead to temporary myocardial ischemia, which is rarely reported but supported by various studies, including electrocardiograms and echocardiography.
  • This myocardial hypoperfusion may arise from catecholamine storms causing microvascular constriction and other neurohormonal interactions that contribute to cardiac fiber damage.
  • Management includes providing oxygen and ventilator support, and while dobutamine can aid cardiac function, antiplatelet therapy is not recommended.
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Article Synopsis
  • Scorpion stings are a significant global issue, particularly in regions like Iran where the number of stings and associated deaths is high.
  • Iran has identified 11 dangerous scorpion species, but only three are linked to reported fatalities.
  • A distribution map of these deadly scorpion species was created to better understand their impact and address the issue of dangerous scorpion stings in Iran.
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Thermoregulation Effects of Isolated Toxins in Rats.

Toxins (Basel)

September 2024

Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, Avenida Vital Brazil 1500, Butantã, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil.

Article Synopsis
  • Body temperature regulation is managed by the hypothalamus, and envenomation can cause various symptoms related to thermoregulation, such as hypothermia and hyperthermia.
  • This study explores the effects of venom on thermoregulation using rats and identifies specific venom components responsible for these effects through various laboratory techniques.
  • The findings suggest that certain venom molecules can affect temperature regulation and may lead to the discovery of new drugs, but more research is needed to fully understand these toxins.
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Approximately 1 million scorpion stings are recorded annually worldwide, resulting in 3000 deaths. Scorpion venom has various effects on the human body, with neurological complications occurring in about 2% of cases. Among these complications, stroke-whether ischemic or hemorrhagic-is particularly significant.

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Introduction: Scorpion envenomation constitutes a major public health issue in Tunisia, especially in arid regions such as the Gulf of Gabes. It is necessary to understand the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of this condition and the importance of early management.

Aim: This study aims to assess the epidemiological and clinical profile of patients admitted to the emergency department of Gabes University Hospital for scorpion envenomation, as well as the timing of management and intra-hospital evolution.

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Bites and Stings: Exotic Causes of Stroke in Asia.

Cerebrovasc Dis Extra

October 2024

Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.

Article Synopsis
  • There are some rare causes of strokes in Asia that aren't usually seen in Western countries, like snakebites, scorpion stings, and bee or wasp stings.
  • These incidents can mostly happen to young men and have serious effects on their health and families, often leading to death or disabilities.
  • More research is needed to understand how these stings and bites cause strokes and to find better ways to treat them.
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Understanding animal's behaviour and adaptation in the face of threats and predators under different biotic and abiotic conditions is fundamental in ecology. In this study we examined defensive behaviour of Buthus atlantis scorpion in order to assess how various factors such as temperature, prey type, and threatening conditions influence stinging behaviour, venom usage and regeneration. Our study had revealed that stings frequency was significantly lower in cooler temperature compared to the medium and warm temperature.

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Development of a gold nanoparticle-based novel diagnostic prototype for detection of Indian red scorpion () venom.

Toxicon X

September 2024

Microbial Biotechnology and Protein Research Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India.

Article Synopsis
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Assessment of knowledge about first aid methods, diagnosis, and treatment of scorpion stings among health workers in Ouarzazate region, Morocco: A cross-sectional study.

Toxicon

November 2024

Laboratory of Anthropogenic, Biotechnology and Health, Team Physiopathology Nutritional, Neurosciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, Av. Des Facultés, 24000, El Jadida, Morocco; Biological and Health Sciences Team, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Ministry of Health, B.P. 45000, Ouarzazate, Morocco; Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurosciences and Environment, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco. Electronic address:

Scorpion envenomation (SE) is a critical and immediate medical emergency. It represents a major public health concern with significant cause of illness and death, particularly in rural regions where scorpions are more prevalent. Of note, administering appropriate first aid to scorpion sting victims is one of the most effective ways to reduce mortality.

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The geographical distribution of scorpions, implication of venom toxins, envenomation, and potential therapeutics in Southern and Northern Africa.

Toxicol Res (Camb)

August 2024

Department of Biochemistry, Corner of Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park Campus, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, 2006, Gauteng, South Africa.

Scorpions are predatory arachnids whose venomous sting primarily affects people in tropical and subtropical regions. Most scorpion stings can only cause localized pain without severe envenomation. Less than one-third of the stings cause systemic envenoming and possibly lead to death.

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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Species of the Jatropha genus (Euphorbiaceae) are used indiscriminately in traditional medicine to treat accidents involving venomous animals. Jatropha mutabilis Baill., popularly known as "pinhão-de-seda," is found in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil.

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