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Toxins (Basel) 2022 May 26;14(6). Epub 2022 May 26.

Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany.

Scorpion venom is a complex secretory mixture of components with potential biological and physiological properties that attracted many researchers due to promising applications from clinical and pharmacological perspectives. In this study, we investigated the venom of the Iranian scorpion (Simon, 1880) by applying mass-spectrometry-based proteomic and lipidomic approaches to assess the diversity of components present in the venom. The data revealed that the venom's proteome composition is largely dominated by Na- and K-channel-impairing toxic peptides, following the enzymatic and non-enzymatic protein families, e. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2022 May 26;14(6). Epub 2022 May 26.

Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Mexico.

scorpion venom is lethal to mammals. Analysis of the venom allowed the characterization of four lethal toxins named Chui2, Chui3, Chui4, and Chui5. scFv 10FG2 recognized well all toxins except Chui5 toxin, therefore a partial neutralization of the venom was observed. Read More

Molecules 2022 May 21;27(10). Epub 2022 May 21.

Faculty of Medicine, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.

() is a small tree distributed throughout the Middle East. It was traditionally used in perfumes in countries in this area. In Saudi Arabia, it was used to treat wounds burns and as an antidote to scorpion stings. Read More

Front Immunol 2022 19;13:863012. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Laboratoire des Biomolécules, Venins et Applications Théranostiques, Institut Pasteur Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.

Scorpion envenoming is a severe health problem in many regions causing significant clinical toxic effects and fatalities. In the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region, scorpion stings are responsible for devastating toxic outcomes in human. The only available specific immunotherapeutic treatment is based on IgG fragments of animal origin. Read More

Emerg Med Clin North Am 2022 May;40(2):313-326

Department of Medical Toxicology, Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, 1012 East Willetta Street, Fl 2, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA; University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA.

This review discusses the distinct envenomation syndromes produced by North American species of snakes and arthropods, specifically the Crotalinae subfamily of snakes, which includes cottonmouths, copperheads, and rattlesnakes; coral snakes; Latrodectus and Loxosceles species of arachnid; and Centruroides sculpturatus, the only species of North American scorpion capable of producing an envenomation syndrome. The authors discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and presentation of these syndromes and emphasize the varying degrees to which these syndromes can manifest clinically. Finally, the management of each envenomation syndrome is addressed. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2022 03 31;14(4). Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Traslational Bioengineering Department, Exact Sciences and Engineering University Center, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44430, Mexico.

Enzymes are an integral part of animal venoms. Unlike snakes, in which enzymes play a primary role in envenomation, in scorpions, their function appears to be ancillary in most species. Due to this, studies on the diversity of scorpion venom components have focused primarily on the peptides responsible for envenomation (toxins) and a few others (e. Read More

Nutrients 2022 Apr 6;14(7). Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Department of Chemistry, Preparatory Year Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia.

(Langsat, Meliaceae) is a tropical fruit mainly found in Southeast Asian countries, particularly in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Traditionally, it is utilized as a folk treatment for eye inflammation, ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, spasms, flatulence, worms, insect bites, scorpion stings, and malaria. Additionally, it is utilized as a mosquito repellent, skin moisturizer and whitening agent. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2022 Jun 31;56:104-106. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Adnan Menderes University Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine, Efeler, Aydın, Turkey.

Background: Scorpion envenomation may cause local symptoms as well as life-threatening situations including shock, and death. Antivenom administration is the cornerstone of therapy, meticulous patient selection is needed because of the possible side effects of the antivenom including anaphylaxis. Peripheral perfusion index (PPI) is a simple, non-invasive test that is widely used for the detection of peripheral hypoperfusion. Read More

PLoS One 2022 8;17(4):e0266138. Epub 2022 Apr 8.

Faculdade de Saúde Pública-Universidade De São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Scorpion envenomation is a significant public health concern in São Paulo, Brazil, and its incidence and mortality have increased in recent decades. The present study analyzed documented scorpion envenomation notifications from 2008 to 2018 throughout the 645 municipalities of São Paulo. Annual incidence and mortality rates were calculated and stratified according to sex and age. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2022 03 17;14(3). Epub 2022 Mar 17.

Macroecology Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland.

Scorpionism is a global health concern, with an estimation of over one million annual envenomation cases. Despite this, little is known regarding the drivers of scorpion venom potency. One widely held view is that smaller scorpions with less-developed chelae possess the most potent venoms. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2022 28;13:821181. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology UR 4667, UFR of Sciences, University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France.

Scorpion α-toxins are neurotoxins that target the fast inactivation mechanism of voltage-gated sodium (Na) channels leading to several neuro- and cardiotoxic effects in mammals. The toxin AahII is the most active α-toxin from the North African scorpion that slows the fast inactivation of Na channels. To fight scorpion envenomation, an anti-AahII nanobody named NbAahII10 (Nb10) was developed. Read More

Trauma Case Rep 2022 Jun 22;39:100624. Epub 2022 Feb 22.

Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery & Burns ICU, General Hospital of Thessaloniki "G. Papanikolaou", Papanikolaou Avenue, Pilea Chortiatis, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece.

Introduction: Cutaneous traumas from scorpion sting envenomation are rare in European countries. Regarding Greece, complex is the most widespread scorpion species. The venom of these small dark brown arthropods, which shelter in woods, usually provokes local cutaneous symptoms: erythema, edema, cellulitis, urticarial plaques, ulcers and rarely skin necrosis. Read More

Acta Trop 2022 Jun 1;230:106390. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Faculdade de Saúde Pública - Universidade De São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Accidents caused by scorpions are considered a neglected condition and represent a major health problem in most tropical countries, especially for children and elderly people. In Brazil, scorpionism is recurrent in the southeast region, mainly in the state of São Paulo, due to the progressive increase in scorpions found in urban habitats. Thus, our study aimed to provide better insights into the geographic and epidemiological characteristics of scorpion envenomation in São Paulo state and identify the environmental factors that are associated with these accidents. Read More

J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022 11;28:e20210050. Epub 2022 Feb 11.

Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Background: Scorpionism is a worldwide problem that has already made thousands of victims, and multi-disciplinary approaches for controlling their populations are to be more successful. Hens are often mentioned as tools for controlling scorpions; however, systematic/experimental behavioral studies are not available. Moreover, there is no systematic information on the effect of scorpion venoms on hens. Read More

Cureus 2022 Jan 4;14(1):e20935. Epub 2022 Jan 4.

Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mohammed VI, Marrakech, MAR.

In Morocco, envenomations caused by viper bites and scorpion stings are frequent and associated with high lethality. It occurs mainly during the summer season with a peak between June and August. It is a medical emergency requiring intensive care. Read More

Hum Exp Toxicol 2022 Jan-Dec;41:9603271211072872

Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, Casablanca, Morocco.

Scorpion envenomation is a serious public health issue.  () and  () are the most dangerous scorpions in Morocco. Despite their medical relevance, no study has yet related their kinetics of symptom apparition and the consequent tissue disorders at the same interval post-injection. Read More

Turk Thorac J 2021 May;22(3):265-266

Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Chest Diseases, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Historically snake, scorpion, and hymenoptera venom have been used to treat various diseases. It is well known that alternative and/or complementary treatment options are widely used, especially among cancer patients. The case we describe here has lung carcinoma and received blue scorpion venom as an alternative therapy. Read More

Analyst 2022 Feb 14;147(4):685-694. Epub 2022 Feb 14.

Aptamer Technology and Diagnostics Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Clinical and Translational Research Group, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India.

Snake bites are a neglected tropical disease, causing mortality and severe damage to various vital organs like the nervous system, kidneys and heart. There is increasing interest in designing new antivenom treatments that are more specific to particular groups (either taxonomic or regional) of species, given the increasing evidence that current polyvalent Indian antivenom is ineffective in many situations. Under these circumstances, being able to detect the species, or a group of species, responsible for the envenomation becomes important. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022 01 10;106(3):962-966. Epub 2022 Jan 10.

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.

Scorpion envenomation is a life-threatening emergency and causes serious health problems in tropical and subtropical regions. The aim of this study was to correlate the serum levels of biochemical parameters at admission in children with scorpion envenomation with subsequent morbidity and mortality. It was a prospective, observational, and descriptive study conducted for scorpion-envenomed children who presented to emergency and intensive care units between April 2019 and September 2019. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2022 05 30;55:227.e5-227.e6. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus Hospital, Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Henderson, NV, 89052, USA. Electronic address:

Inconsolable crying in infants can be caused by as simple as infantile colic to wide variety of pathologies. A thorough history, physical examination followed by laboratory and radiologic evaluation can identify the cause of inconsolable crying. We present a case of infant who presented with inconsolable crying and after extensive workup no cause could ne identified. Read More

Acta Med Port 2021 Nov 2;34(11):784-795. Epub 2021 Nov 2.

Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto. Porto. Portugal.

There are many native species of animals with the potential to cause severe disease in Portugal. Of the four clinically relevant snake species, the vipers (Vipera latastei and Vipera seoanei) are the most concerning. They can cause severe disease and require in-hospital management, monitoring and specific treatment, including the administration of anti-snake venom serum. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2021 11 30;13(12). Epub 2021 Nov 30.

Laboratory of Pharmacology, Butantan Institute, Av. Dr. Vital Brazil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.

Few data are available in the literature describing the long-term effects of envenoming in the perinatal period. In this study, the relationship between envenoming of lactating rats and possible behavioral changes in the mother and in her offspring were investigated. Lactating Wistar rats received a single dose of crude venom on postnatal days 2 (V2), 10 (V10) or 16 (V16), and had their maternal behavior evaluated. Read More

J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021 6;27:e20210026. Epub 2021 Dec 6.

Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7275 et Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), 06560 Valbonne, France. Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Université Côte d'Azur Valbonne France.

Pain is a common symptom induced during envenomation by spiders and scorpions. Toxins isolated from their venom have become essential tools for studying the functioning and physiopathological role of ion channels, as they modulate their activity. In particular, toxins that induce pain relief effects can serve as a molecular basis for the development of future analgesics in humans. Read More

J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021 29;27:e20210028. Epub 2021 Nov 29.

Laboratory of Medical Entomology and Venomous Animals, Center of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, PA, Brazil.

Venom from Amazonian scorpions of the genus contains components capable of eliciting a distinct clinical, mostly neurological, syndrome. This contrasts with the mainly autonomic manifestations produced after envenomation by congeneric southern and northern South American species. Herein, we summarize Pan-Amazonian scorpionism by synthesizing available toxinological, clinical, and molecular data gathered from all affected areas in Amazonia, including Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, and French Guiana. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 12 2;15(12):e0009880. Epub 2021 Dec 2.

Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.

The Middle East and Northern Africa, collectively known as the MENA region, are inhabited by a plethora of venomous animals that cause up to 420,000 bites and stings each year. To understand the resultant health burden and the key variables affecting it, this review describes the epidemiology of snake, scorpion, and spider envenomings primarily based on heterogenous hospital data in the MENA region and the pathologies associated with their venoms. In addition, we discuss the venom composition and the key medically relevant toxins of these venomous animals, and, finally, the antivenoms that are currently in use to counteract them. Read More

Epidemiol Serv Saude 2021 Jul 26;30(4):e2021009. Epub 2021 Nov 26.

Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Biologia, Salvador, BA, Brasil.

Objective: To analyze ecological association between socioeconomic, occupational and sanitation characteristics and scorpionism in Brazil.

Methods: This was an ecological study with data on scorpion sting accidents reported on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (2007-2019). Negative binomial regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) and confidence intervals (95%CI). Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021 11 29;106(3):959-961. Epub 2021 Nov 29.

Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Investigador SNI-SENACYT, Ciudad de Panama, Panama.

Scorpion stings are common emergencies in the tropics. Species-specific antivenom therapies are available. However, fatalities resulting from scorpion stings remain a public health concern in many settings. Read More

Arch Razi Inst 2021 1;76(3):591-597. Epub 2021 Sep 1.

Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Scorpions are among the most medically important arthropods in Iran, particularly northwestern areas. To date, five scorpion species, i.e. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2021 10 25;13(11). Epub 2021 Oct 25.

Grupo de Investigaciones Herpetológicas y Toxinológicas, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas-Bioterio, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y de la Educación, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán 190002, Colombia.

Among other scorpion species, Colombia has two genera of the Buthidae family and 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: , , and . Read More

Front Pharmacol 2021 28;12:710680. Epub 2021 Sep 28.

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India.

The Indian red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus) is one of the world's deadliest scorpions, with stings representing a life-threatening medical emergency. This species is distributed throughout the Indian sub-continent, including eastern Pakistan, eastern Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In India, Indian red scorpions are broadly distributed in western Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka; however, fatal envenomations have been recorded primarily in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Read More