Scorpion envenomations are ubiquitous, but nephropathy is a rare manifestation, reported mainly from the Middle East and North Africa. Rapid venom redistribution from blood, delayed excretion from the kidneys, direct toxicity of venom enzymes, cytokine release and afferent arteriolar constriction have been seen in experimental animals. Haemoglobinuria, acute tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis and haemolytic–uraemic syndrome have been documented in human victims of scorpion envenomation. Epidemiology, venom components and toxins, effects on the laboratory mammals especially the kidneys and reports of renal failure in humans are reviewed in this article.

We report a 58-year-old man with multiple yellow jacket stings who developed urticaria, renal failure, quadriparesis, rhabdomyolysis in succession. Investigations revealed renal and hepatic dysfunction, proteinuria, demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, acute tubular necrosis and glomerulonephritis. He improved with methylprednisolone, antihypertensives and two sessions of haemodialysis.