Scorpionism by Tityus silvestris in eastern Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

BackgroundScorpionism is a serious public health problem in Brazil. Although cases of envenomation by scorpions are frequent in Brazil, Tityus silvestris – found throughout the Amazon region – is considered of minor medical significance and with only a few descriptions in the literature. This article aims to describe for the first time the epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of scorpion stings by T. silvestris that occurred in eastern Brazilian Amazon.MethodsA prospective and observational study was carried out on 13 confirmed cases of T. silvestris envenomation registered from 2007 to 2011 in the cities of Belém and Ananindeua, Pará state, Brazil.ResultsThe stings occurred mainly during daytime, at domiciliary environment, and the scorpions were found in clothing, fruits or vegetables. Envenomation was more frequent in the age group between 21 and 30 years old, upper limbs were more affected and medical aid was usually provided within two hours. Men and women were equally affected. Regarding severity, ten patients were classified as Class I and three patients as Class II according to the Scorpion Consensus Expert Group. Local manifestations were present in all patients, being pain the most common symptom. Mild systemic manifestations including nausea, vomiting, somnolence, malaise and prostration were observed in three victims. Symptomatic treatment of pain was offered to all patients, and only one received specific antivenom. All victims had a favorable outcome.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the systemic symptomatology of envenomation by T. silvestris in the Brazilian Amazon, highlighting the medical relevance of the species in this region. Further research on the venom and clinical manifestations of envenomation by T. silvestris should be conducted in order to verify the relevance of this species to public health.

Avaliação do uso de soros antivenenos na emergência de um hospital público regional de Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brasil

“…The seasonality of envenomation accidents in the summer months has been evidenced in the data shown here. This period of higher accident incidence coincides with wetter months, especially summer months, a result similar to that found in several studies 16,25,40,42,[45][46][47][48] . In a systematic review of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of scorpionism, a correlation was recorded between scorpion-related accidents by and rainfall values above 30 mm/month 7 .…”

“…Similarly, in the warmer and wetter months, the increased activity of rural workers exposes them to contact with snakes 25,26 . Also, higher temperatures favor the mating and reproduction of scorpions, snakes, and spiders 3,44,47,50 .…”

Epidemiological study of scorpion stings in the Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil

“…Local and systemic symptoms of injury by scorpion are similar regardless of the zoological differences among these arachnids 43 . In our study, local symptoms were reported in 94.82% of the cases, which have also been reported in studies in the North 39 , Northeast 19 , 26 and other regions of Brazil 6 , 43 . Systemic symptoms were observed in 6.0% of the cases.…”

First report of scorpionism caused by Tityus serrulatus, described by Lutz and Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones, Buthidae), a species non-native to the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon

“…T. serrulatus is associated with envenomations in the South, Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast regions. This species is absent in the northern region 2 , where envenomation by T. obscurus, T. metuendes, and T. silvestris prevails 4,5 .…”