ABSTRACT
Abstract:Approximately 2 000 scorpion species can be found around the world; although few species are considered "harmful" to human beings, a high number of scorpionism cases are reported all over the world. The elaboration of anti-scorpion sera requires the establishment of an animal collection maintained in captivity for venom extraction purposes. The Clodomiro Picado Institute (ICP, for its acronym in Spanish), poses a vast trajectory in manufacturing snakebite antivenoms, and starts a scorpion collection in 2005 for this purpose. In total, 2 043 scorpions were classified in 11 species and collected during a seven-year period using a black-light flashlight and an intensive seeking methodology. The scorpions were collected from several localities of the Pacific and the Caribbean versants of Costa Rica. The venom extraction was performed by applying electrostimulation; the collected venom was characterized by total protein content in addition to median lethal doses. Centruroidesbicolor showed higher amounts of venom yield, total protein content and more lethal dose, all of which were correlated with its body mass. The techniques used to keep scorpions in captivity allowed the animals to live several years. Longevity analysis showed significant differences among scorpion genera (H= 353.80; df= 3; P < 0.0001); moreover, the genus Didymocentrus lived longer with an average of 4.46 years. One key factor of its longevity was that it did not go through venom extraction processes. Additionally, a high survival rate of Tityuspachyurus born in captivity, compared to other species within the same genus, was observed (H= 94.32; df= 3; P < 0.0001). This characteristic should be taken into consideration, when programs of reproduction in captivity are designed. In conclusion, the maintenance of a scorpion collection was efficient for venom extraction purposes and a longer life expectancy of the animals. Moreover, there is a scarcity on publications regarding scorpion maintenance in captivity for venom extraction purposes; therefore, a deeper research in aspects such as reproduction, death causes and feeding behaviors is required. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1019-1027. Epub 2016 September 01.
ResumenExisten alrededor de 2 000 especies de escorpiones en el mundo y a pesar de que muy pocas de ellas son consideradas peligrosas para el ser humano se presentan muchos casos de escorpionismo alrededor del mundo. La elaboración de suero antiescorpiónico requiere en primera instancia del establecimiento de una colección en cautiverio para la extracción del veneno, razón por la cual el Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP), con una amplia trayectoria en la elaboración de suero antiofídico, inicia en el 2005 una colección para dicho fin. En total 2 043 escorpiones clasificados en 11 especies fueron recolectados en un periodo de siete años mediante búsqueda intensiva con luz ultravioleta en varias localidades de la vertiente Pacífica, así como la vertiente Atlántica de Costa Rica. Las extracciones de veneno se realizaron con electro-estimulación, y el veneno recolectado fue caracterizado por el contenido total de proteínas, además se realizaron pruebas de letalidad, siendo Centruroides bicolor el más letal y el que presento los valores más altos en cantidad de veneno y proteínas totales lo cual es consecuente con su masa corporal. Las técnicas empleadas en el mantenimiento en cautiverio de los escorpiones permitieron que los escorpiones vivieran varios años, en un análisis de la longevidad se obtuvieron diferencias significativas entre los géneros (H = 353.80; g.l = 3; P < 0.0001), siendo el género Didymocentrus el más longevo con un promedio de 4.46 años, un factor importante de su longevidad es el hecho de no haber formado parte del proceso de extracción. También se pudo evidenciar una alta supervivencia de crías nacidas en cautiverio de la especie Tityus pachyurus con respecto a las otras especies del mismo género (H = 94.32; g.l = 3; P < 0.0001), resultado que puede ser tomado en cuenta para reproducir esta especie en cautiverio. El mantenimiento de la colección de escorpiones fue eficiente para el proceso de extracción de veneno y para una supervivencia prolongada de los animales. Existen muy pocas publicaciones en lo que se refiere al mantenimiento de escorpiones en cautiverio para la extracción de veneno por lo que se requiere de una investigación más profunda en aspectos como la reproducción, las causas de muerte y la alimentación.
Subject(s)
Animals , Scorpion Venoms/isolation & purification , Scorpions/physiology , Antivenins , Species Specificity , Time Factors , Life Expectancy , Costa Rica , Animal Distribution , LongevityABSTRACT
Scorpion envenomations are a major public health problem in Brazil, whose most dangerous cases are attributable to the genus Tityus. This study was designed to compare the clinical and demographic features of envenomations by 77tyus obscurus in two areas of the state of Pará located in the Amazon basin. Were compared demographic findings, local and systemic signs and symptoms of human envenomations caused by T. obscurus that occurred in western and eastern areas of the state.
Subject(s)
Animals , Poisoning/complications , Neurology , Poisons/analysis , Scorpions/physiologyABSTRACT
Scorpion envenomations are a major public health problem in Brazil, whose most dangerous cases are attributable to the genus Tityus. This study was designed to compare the clinical and demographic features of envenomations by 77tyus obscurus in two areas of the state of Pará located in the Amazon basin. Were compared demographic findings, local and systemic signs and symptoms of human envenomations caused by T. obscurus that occurred in western and eastern areas of the state.
Subject(s)
Animals , Poisoning/complications , Neurology , Poisons/analysis , Scorpions/physiologyABSTRACT
Se presentan características clínicas, epidemiológicas y taxonómicas del emponzoñamiento escorpiónico en Venezuela. Se revisan aspectos de la fisiopatología de la venina en el área cardiovascular y las bases racionales del tratamiento. Finalmente, se presentan las pautas del protocolo del Centro Toxicológico Regional "Dra. EL Bermúdez" para la terapia del emponzoñamiento escorpiónico en el Hospital pediátrico "Dr. Agustin Zubillaga".
Clinical, epidemiological and taxonomic features about scorpion envenoming in Venezuela are presented. Aspects about physiopatology of the venom in the cardiovascular area and the rationale of the treatment are reviewed. Finally, the guidelines of "Dra. EL bermúdez" Regional Poison Center for therapy of the scorpion envenoming in "Dr. Agustin Zubillaga" Pediatric Hospital are presented.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Child , Electrocardiography/methods , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Scorpions/classification , Scorpions/physiology , Medical Examination/methods , Venoms/poisoning , Blood Pressure/physiology , Chest Pain/diagnosis , Toxicity/methods , VenezuelaABSTRACT
Experiments were conducted to determine the responses of third-instar nymphs of the whipscorpion Mastigoproctus liochirus to various moisture (relative humidity) levels under constant temperature conditions, using a linear humidity gradient apparatus. No previous data exist on the water relations of this uropygid. Under saturated conditions (100% RH) animals showed no preference for any section of the chamber. When a humidity gradient was established (20 to 100% RH), whipscorpions exhibited a marked preference for an area of the chamber characterized by 70 to 80% RH.
Subject(s)
Acclimatization/physiology , Animals , Humidity , Nymph/physiology , Scorpions/physiology , TemperatureABSTRACT
Este trabajo analiza el empozoñamiento por escorpiones y su repercusión pulmonar, con énfasis en la situación en nuestro país
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Lung/abnormalities , Scorpions/pathogenicity , Scorpions/physiology , Toxicology , Scorpion Venoms/toxicity , VenezuelaABSTRACT
Electrical recordings made from the peripheral nerves of the 7th abdominal ganglion in the scorpion, H. fulvipes showed pronounced activity on ipsilateral stimulation of the connective and minimum activity on the contralateral side. Measurement of conduction velocities and synaptic delays indicated that ipsilateral pathways are probably monosynaptic and excitatory, while contralateral pathways might be polysynaptic and inhibitory. The nature of transmission has been suggested to be chemical.