Increased osmotic fragility of red cells in dogs with acute myocarditis produced by scorpion (Buthus tamulus) venom.

Stings from scorpions (Buthus tamulus) produce acute myocarditis and can result in death in children and adults. Acute myocarditis was induced in anaesthetised dogs by intravenous injection of 4 mg/kg venom (Buthus tamulus). Myocarditis was confirmed by ECG. Blood was collected before and 30 minutes after venom treatment and processed for osmotic fragility. An increase in osmotic fragility of red cells in addition to initial hypertension followed by hypotension were observed in venom treated animals. These results suggest that scorpion venom causes autonomic storm and the released catecholamines were responsible for acute myocarditis, changes in the blood pressure and increased osmotic fragility of red cells.