Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Braz J Biol 2021 4;82:e238110. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Centro Universitário Cesmac, Maceió, AL, Brasil.

Scorpionic accidents are a major public health problem due to the high occurrence with potential seriousness. In this manner, the research aimed to analyze the occurrence of scorpionic accidents in a municipality in the northeastern of Brazil. An exploratory, descriptive study was made, with a quantitative approach, using secondary data which was gotten from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), from 2008 to 2018. Read More

Cureus 2021 Apr 27;13(4):e14715. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA.

Scorpion envenomation is a life-threatening toxicological emergency and considered as a major public health problem, especially in endemic regions (India, Africa, Latin America); it is generally characterized by low resources and tropical or subtropical weather. Scorpion envenomation is especially fatal in the first hours, usually due to respiratory and/or cardiovascular collapse. The neurologic manifestations, triggered by multiple neurotoxic mechanisms, are varied and complex and mostly reported in children. Read More

Wilderness Environ Med 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Department of Pediatrics, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Medical Faculty, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey; Department of Pediatric Neurology, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Medical Faculty, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.

Introduction: Scorpion stings are a major health problem with potentially fatal consequences. Children under the age of 10 y especially face a great risk. Predicting the prognosis is important in reducing mortality and morbidity because it enables the use of early treatment options. Read More

Wilderness Environ Med 2021 May 6. Epub 2021 May 6.

Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Insects 2021 Apr 29;12(5). Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.

Many animal species can produce venom for defense, predation, and competition. The venom usually contains diverse peptide and protein toxins, including neurotoxins, proteolytic enzymes, protease inhibitors, and allergens. Some drugs for cancer, neurological disorders, and analgesics were developed based on animal toxin structures and functions. Read More

Molecules 2021 Apr 28;26(9). Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran.

scorpion stings do not induce considerable pain based on epidemiological surveys conducted in the southwest part of Iran. Accordingly, this study was aimed to identify the analgesic molecule in venom by analyzing a cDNA library of the scorpion venom gland looking for sequences having homology with known animal venom analgesic peptides. The analgesic molecule is a cysteine rich peptide of 55 amino acids. Read More

Arch Razi Inst 2021 Mar 1;76(1):149-160. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Science Research Center, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.

Scorpions are venomous arachnids with major medical health importance in Iran, specifically in the Southwest. In total, three families of scorpions, including Scorpionidae, Hemiscorpiidae, and Buthidae were reported in Iran. This study was conducted on scorpion ecology to determine the species composition and the dispersion of scorpions based on the ecological and environmental variables in combination with the Geographic Information System (GIS) in Khuzestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr Provinces along with the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf in Iran. Read More

Biomedica 2021 03 19;41(1):29-40. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

Grupo de Investigación en Toxinología Aplicada y Animales Venenosos, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Núcleo de Anzoátegui, Universidad de Oriente, Barcelona, Venezuela.

Introduction: Injuries by venomous animals frequently occur in impoverished communities with limited access to health services. They are considered neglected diseases that stand out as important causes of morbidity and mortality in various countries, including Venezuela. Objective: To assess mortalities resulting from contact with venomous animals in Venezuela from 2000 to 2009 (X20-X29 series). Read More

FEBS Open Bio 2021 Mar 13. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

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

Buthus occitanus (B. occitanus) is one of the most dangerous scorpions in the world. Despite the involvement of B. Read More

Pediatr Int 2021 Mar 7. Epub 2021 Mar 7.

Laboratory of Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Behavior (URAC-37), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.

Background: Scorpionism is endemic and represents a real public health problem in Morocco. The most dangerous arthropod in central area is Androctonus mauretanicus (Am) scorpion. Its envenomation can be lethal, especially for children. Read More

Am J Med 2021 Feb 22. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, University of Arizona, Tucson.

Background: Arizona's rugged desert landscape harbors many venomous animals, including a small nocturnal scorpion, Centruroides sculpturatus, whose venom can cause severe neuromotor disturbance. An effective antivenom is available at selected health care facilities in the state.

Methods: We analyzed 4398 calls of scorpion stings to the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (APDIC) in Tucson over a period of 3 years, from January 2017 to December 2019. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2021 Feb 19:1-14. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Service de Réanimation [Intensive Care Unit], Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, France.

Introduction: In France, 57 species of scorpions are described with a limited number of clinical studies. In this article, we report the epidemiology of scorpion sting events in mainland France and its overseas territories based on cases reported to the French poison-control centres (FPCC).

Material And Method: This retrospective multicentre study was conducted with data from FPCC's files about scorpion stings between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2020. Read More

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021 10;54:e05112020. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Universidade Federal do Ceará, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Laboratório de Farmacologia de Venenos e Toxinas, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.

Introduction: Envenomation remains a neglected public health problem in most tropical countries. Epidemiological studies on accidents caused by venomous animals are scarce in the Northeast region of Brazil, mainly in the state of Ceará. The present study aimed to describe the epidemiological features of envenomation cases involving venomous animals in the State of Ceará, Northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2019. Read More

Trop Med Int Health 2021 May 14;26(5):591-601. Epub 2021 Mar 14.

Laboratório de Pesquisas Integrativas em Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil.

Objective: To identify areas that present a higher risk of exposure to accidents with scorpions in Brazil.

Methods: We used techniques of spatial prioritisation to determine the most vulnerable localities to envenomation by four scorpion species. Our prioritisation integrated ecological niche models with health investment, antivenin availability, access to health care facilities and metrics of human impact data. Read More

J Proteomics 2021 04 1;237:104119. Epub 2021 Feb 1.

Toxinology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia-DF 70910-900, Brazil.

Scorpion venoms are formed by toxins harmful to various organisms, including humans. Several techniques have been developed to understand the role of proteins in animal venoms, including proteomics approach. Rhopalurus agamemnon (Koch, 1839) is the largest scorpion in the Buthidae family in the Brazilian Cerrado, measuring up to 110 mm in total length. Read More

Toxicon 2021 Feb 31;191:83-103. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

The twelve Arab countries of the Middle East are inhabited by 117 species of scorpions of varying medical importance within six families. Scorpion stings are a very common occurrence throughout the region. Twenty-two scorpion species are considered to be dangerously venomous, causing potentially life threatening stings. Read More

J Arthropod Borne Dis 2020 Jun 30;14(2):193-201. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

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

Background: There are four medically important scorpion species (, , and ) in the West Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran. scorpionism is considered as a health problem in this region, because there is no information about scorpion envenomation, this study was designed to study epidemiological characteristics of scorpionism to optimize prevention and treatment of scorpion sting in northwest of Iran.

Methods: All the data from epidemiological surveys completed in West Azerbaijan hospitals over four years (2014-2017) for scorpion victims were collected. Read More

Toxicon 2021 Jan 13;190:39-40. Epub 2020 Dec 13.

Paris Poison Control Center, Toxicology Federation (FeTox), Fernand Widal Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France.

Cases of human envenomation by Centruroides pococki are exceptionally reported in human. We report a Class III human envenomation by C. pococki in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, with neuromuscular toxicity that has never been described before. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 12 14;14(12):e0008899. Epub 2020 Dec 14.

Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos "Carlos G. Malbrán", Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Envenoming by scorpions in genus Tityus is a public health problem in Tropical America. One of the most medically significant species is Tityus trivittatus, which is known to occur from southwest Brazil to central-northern and eastern Argentina. In this work, we studied the lethality, composition, antigenicity, and enzymatic activity of venom from a T. Read More

Toxicon 2021 Jan 9;190:65-72. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia. Electronic address:

With a global estimate of tens of thousands of arachnid enthusiasts, spiders and scorpions are gaining increasing popularity as pets in industrialised countries in Europe, Northern America and Asia. As most spiders and all scorpions are venomous and due to their mostly negative image in the public media, several governments are already considering introducing legislation to regulate the domestic care of potentially dangerous captive animals. We aimed to investigate the circumstances and effects of exposure to arachnids kept in captivity. Read More

Indian Heart J 2020 Sep - Oct;72(5):431-434. Epub 2020 Aug 2.

Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.

Objective: This study was done to evaluate myocardial function by 2D Echocardiography and Cardiac biomarkers (cTnI, CK-MB, BNP) changes in patients of scorpion envenomation of grade II-IV and correlate mortality of envenomed children with myocardial dysfunction.

Methods: A total of 40 patients admitted consecutively with grade II and more scorpion envenomation from October 2015 to July2018 were enrolled in the study. The data included demographics, the time of presentation, clinical features, echocardiographic findings, electrocardiographic findings, cardiac biomarker levels at admission and discharge, use of inotropic medication, oral prazosin, time of discharge, and their outcome. Read More

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021 Feb 6;240:108939. Epub 2020 Nov 6.

Physiology and Biochemistry Research Group-PHYSIS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia. Electronic address:

Centruroides margaritatus scorpion stings are common in Colombia. However, the cardiovascular toxicity of the venom has not been clarified.

Aim: To study the effect and mechanisms of action of the complete venom of C. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2020 Dec 27;165(Pt B):2994-3006. Epub 2020 Oct 27.

Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, No. 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China. Electronic address:

Geographical variation of animal venom is common among venomous animals. This kind of intraspecific variation based on geographical location mainly concerned from envenomation cases and brought new problems in animal venom studies, including venom components regulatory mechanisms, differentiation of venom activities, and clinical treatment methods. At present, food is considered as the most related factor influencing venom development. Read More

Nat Commun 2020 10 28;11(1):5433. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Scorpion envenomation is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among accidents caused by venomous animals. Major clinical manifestations that precede death after scorpion envenomation include heart failure and pulmonary edema. Here, we demonstrate that cardiac dysfunction and fatal outcomes caused by lethal scorpion envenomation in mice are mediated by a neuro-immune interaction linking IL-1 receptor signaling, prostaglandin E and acetylcholine release. Read More

JAMA Intern Med 2020 12;180(12):1689-1690

Department of Cardiology, Topiwala National Medical College and B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Hum Exp Toxicol 2021 May 23;40(5):754-760. Epub 2020 Oct 23.

Department of Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology, 68877Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.

Aim Of The Work: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the clinical reliability of N-terminal fragment of proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in identifying patients with cardiotoxicity in the early hours following scorpion sting.

Subjects And Methods: This study involved 483 children aging between 2-17 years who were admitted to Minia University Poisoning Control Center from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2019 with a history of scorpion sting, and on clinical evaluation symptoms were manifested. All subjects were clinically examined, investigated for NT-proBNP and CPK-MB on admission, 6 h and 24 h post-envenomation; and subjected to 24 h cardiac monitoring with periodic ECG every 6 h. Read More

Toxicon 2020 Dec 13;188:65-75. Epub 2020 Oct 13.

Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico. Electronic address:

In Mexico, scorpion sting envenomation (SSE) is a significant public health issue that has engaged the attention of health authorities for more than a century. Rigorously characterized today, scorpion sting incidence is stable around 230 stings per 100,000 population, i.e. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2020 10 1;12(10). Epub 2020 Oct 1.

Laboratoire des Venins et Biomolécules Thérapeutiques LR16IPT08, Université de Tunis El Manar, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.

The scorpion and brown spider represent a public health problem in Asia and America, respectively. Although distinct, these organisms contain similar toxins responsible for the principal clinical signs of envenomation. To better understand the properties of these toxins, we designed a study to compare recombinant Heminecrolysin (rHNC) and rLiD1, the major phospholipase D toxins of scorpion and spider venom, respectively. Read More

J Trop Pediatr 2020 Oct 2. Epub 2020 Oct 2.

Qena Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.

Background: Scorpion envenomation is a major public health problem in children that can induce lethal neurological, respiratory and cardiovascular complications. We aimed to evaluate cardiovascular complications with a follow-up of envenomed children for 1 month for possibility of incomplete recovery.

Methods: This was a prospective study conducted for children who presented with scorpion sting to Emergency and Intensive Care units. Read More

Toxicon 2020 Nov 28;187:245-254. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil; Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil. Electronic address:

Scorpion envenomations are a major public health problem in Brazil, and most medically important cases are attributable to the Tityus genus. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical and epidemiological aspects of a series of 151 cases of confirmed scorpion stings, which were treated at the hospitals of two cities in the Western Brazilian Amazon, between June 2014 and December 2019. This study shows that the genus Tityus was the most prevalent. Read More