Epidemiology of scorpion envenomation in the Southeast of Turkey

Erdem Kurt 1, Rohat Ak 2 *
More Detail
1 Emergency Medicine Department, Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
2 Emergency Medicine Department, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
* Corresponding Author
J CLIN MED KAZ, Volume 6, Issue 60, pp. 56-62. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/9262
OPEN ACCESS 1404 Views 1094 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report the epidemiological features of scorpion envenomation in the southeast of Turkey.
Material and methods: In this study, records of 312 patients admitted to emergency department between 2018-2019 due to scorpion sting were retrospectively analyzed. General characteristics (age, sex), epidemiological data, complaints to the hospital, physical examination and laboratory findings, treatment approaches, complications and prognosis were evaluated.
Results: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 35.4 ± 22.7 years. Of the patients included, 106 were female and 89 were male. On the other hand, 126 patients were in stage 1, 60 in stage 2 and 9 in stage 3. When the sting sites were examined, it was seen that 3 of them were stung from head and neck, 45 of them were trunk, 72 of them were upper extremity and 75 of them were stung from lower extremity part. Eight patients had chest pain, 26 had nausea and vomiting, 5 had shortness of breath, 3 had priapism and 33 had agitation / sweating. 76 patients were treated with antivenom and 28 patients received alpha blocker. Of the patients, 151 were followed in the emergency department, 39 were admitted hospital, and 5 were followed in the intensive care unit. Only 2 deaths was recorded (1%).
Conclusion: Conscious intervention to be applied in scorpion stings, which is still an important health problem for our country, needs to be informed of our people and information of health personnel should be updated.
Keywords: scorpion sting, envenomation, epidemiology

CITATION

Kurt E, Ak R. Epidemiology of scorpion envenomation in the Southeast of Turkey. J Clin Med Kaz. 2020;6(60):56-62. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/9262

REFERENCES

  • Possani LD, Merino E, Corona M, Bolivar F, Becerril B. Peptides and genes coding for scorpion toxins that affect ion-channels. Biochimie. 10 Eylül. 2000; 82(9):861-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0300-9084(00)01167-6
  • Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH. Prazosin therapy and scorpion envenomation. J Assoc Physicians India. Aralık. 2000; 48(12):1175-80.
  • Kartal M, Akrep Sokmaları, Satar S. Acilde Klinik Toksikoloji. Adana Nobel Basım Evi Adana, 2009
  • El-Amin EO, Ul-Din-Khan M. Hematological and biochemical findings in scorpion stung children. Ann Saudi Med. 1991; 11(6):625-627. https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.1991.625
  • Ismail M. The scorpion envenoming syndrome. Toxicon. 1995; 33(7):825-858. https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-0101(95)00005-7
  • Gwee MC, Nirthanan S, Khoo H-E, Gopalakrishnakone P, Kini RM, Cheah L-S. Autonomic effects of some scorpion venoms and toxins. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2002; 29(9):795-801. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1681.2002.03726.x
  • Santos MS, Silvia CG, Neto BS, Grangeiro Júnior CR, Lopes VH, Teixeira Júnior AG, et al. Clinical and epidemiological aspects of scorpionism in the world: a systematic review. Wilderness Environ Med. 2016; 27(4):504-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2016.08.003
  • El, Fatma El-Zahraa A. Abd, et al. Toxicological and epidemiological studies of scorpion sting cases and morphological characterization of scorpions (Leiurusquin questriatus and Androctonus crassicauda) in Luxor, Egypt. Toxicology reports. 2019; 6(2019):329-335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.03.004
  • B. Al, D.A. Yılmaz, O. Sögut, M. Orak, M. Üstündağ, S. Bokurt, Epidemiological, clinical characteristics and outcome of scorpion envenomation in Batman, Turkey: an analysis of 120 cases. JAEM. 2009; 8(2009):9-14.
  • C.M. Kumar, N.S. Prasad, Factors determining poor prognosis in scorpion sting in
coastal Andhra Pradesh. Indian J. Child Health (Bhopal). 2015; 3(2015):293-297. https://doi.org/10.32677/IJCH.2016.v03.i04.005
  • Adiguzel S, Ozkan O, Inceoglu B. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of scorpionism in children in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Toxicon. 2007; 49: 875-880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2006.12.012
  • Pipelzadeh MH, Jalali A, Taraz M, Pourabbas R, Zaremirakabadi A. An epidemiological and a clinical study on scorpionism by the Iranian scorpion Hemiscorpius lepturus. Toxicon 2007; 50: 984-992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2007.07.018
  • Nunes KP, Torres FS, Borges MH, Matavel A, Pimenta AM, et al. New insights on arthropod toxins that potentiate erectile function. Toxicon. 2013; 69:152-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.03.017
  • Mallick SA, Sameer A. Priapism in Scorpion Stings within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Case Report. ASH & KMDC. 2018; 23(1):191.
  • Bosnak M, Ece A, Yolbas I, Bosnak V, Kaplan M, Gurkan F. Scorpion Sting Envenomation in Children in Southeast Turkey. Wilderness Environ Med. 01 Haziran. 2009; 20(2):118-24. https://doi.org/10.1580/07-WEME-OR-098RR3.1
  • Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH. Severe envenoming by Indian red scorpion M. tamulus-the use of Prazosin therapy. Quart J Med. 1996; 89:701-704. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/89.9.701
  • Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH. Sting by red scorpion (Buthus tamulus) in Maharashtra State, India: A clinical study. Trans Roy Soc Med Hyg. 1989; 83:858-860. https://doi.org/10.1016/0035-9203(89)90354-4
  • Biswal N, Charan MV, Betsy M, Nalini P, Srinivasan S, Mahadevan S. Management of scorpion envenomation. Pediatrics Today. 1999; 2:420-426.
  • Karnad DR. Haemodynamic patterns in patients with scorpion envenomation. Heart. 1998; 79(5):485-489. https://doi.org/10.1136/hrt.79.5.485
  • Uluğ M, Yaman Y, Yapici F, Can-Uluğ N. Scorpion envenomation in children: an analysis of 99 cases. Turk J Pediatr. 2012; 54(2):119-27.
  • Gummin DD, Mowry JB, Spyker DA, Brooks DE, Fraser MO, Banner W. 2016 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS): 34th Annual Report. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2017; 55(10):1072-1252 https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2017.1388087
  • Ozkan O, Adiguzel S, Kar S, Kurt M, Yakistiran S, Cesaretli Y, vd. Effects of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807)(scorpiones: buthidae) venom on rats: correlation among acetylcholinesterase activities and electrolytes levels. J Venom Anim Toxins Trop Dis. 2007; 13(1):69-81. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992007000100005
  • Ali Karakuş, Vefik Arıca, Tanju Çelik, Murat Tutanç, Cem Zeren, Seçil
Günher ARICA. Akrep Sokması Nedeniyle Ölüm: Çocuk Olgu Sunumu Death
Due to Scorpion Sting: Child Case Report, 2013; 24:50-3. https://doi.org/10.5505/jkartaltr.2013.29292
  • Söker M, Haspolat K. Güneydoğu ve Anadolu bölgesinde çocuklarda akrep sokması: 64 vakanın değerlendirilmesi. Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Dergisi. 2000; 43:43-50.
  • Kaya S. Çocuk Acil Servisine Başvuran Yedi Yıllık Akrep Sokması Olgularının Değerlendirilmesi. Düzce Tıp Dergisi. 2013; 15:11-3.