Scorpionism by Tityus silvestris in eastern Brazilian Amazon

Scorpionism 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. Methods A 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. Results The 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. Conclusions To 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.

Scorpionism by Tityus silvestris in eastern Brazilian Amazon

Background Scorpionism 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. Methods A 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. Results The 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. Conclusions To 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.(AU)

Aspectos do escorpionismo no Estado do Pará - Brasil / Aspects of scorpionism in the state of Pará - Brazil

Objetivo: estudar os acidentes escorpiônicos ocorridos no Estado do Pará-Brasil, segundo variáveis demográficas e clínicas. Casuística e métodos: estudo descritivo do tipo transversal, de 303 casos de acidentes escorpiônicos, ocorridos no Estado do Pará e notificados, a partir de ligações telefônicas para o Centro de Informações Toxicológicas de Betém (CIT-Belém), período de 1998 a 2005. Resultados: Belémfoi o município com o maior número de ocorrências (54,1%). O ano de 2003 obteve o maior número de notificações, 17,1%. Afaixa etária mais atingida corresponde a indivíduos entre 20 a 29 anos (18,4%) e do sexo masculino (50,8%). 52% dos casos aconteceram na residência do acidentado. Cerca de 66,6% dos acidentes foram considerados leve. Óbitos somente em crianças 0,6% . Conclusões: os resultados demonstram que os acidentes escorpiônicos são uma realidade no Estado do Pará e que a gravidade muda em função da mesoregião, refletindo na letalidade, que é semelhante à nacional.

Objective: study scorpion poisoning that happen in Pará-Brazil according to demographic and clinical variables. Method: Descriptive study of 303 cases of scorpion poisoning which happened in Pará, and were reported at "Centro de Informações Toxicológicas" (CIT-Belém) from 1998 to 2005. Results: Belém was the city that presented the highest occurrence rate (54.1%). The highest number of reports was in the year 2003 (17.1%). Individuais of 20-29 years old were the most affected group (18.4%) and male (50.8%). 52% of the cases occurred in the patients' residence. About 66,6% of the incidents were considered mild. In only 0,6% fatal incidents in children were reported. Conclusions: the results show that scorpion poisoning can be considered a public health problem and that its gravity can change according to the mesoregion, influencing its lethality rate, which is similar to the national one.