Epidemiological aspects of scorpion stings in Al-Jouf Province, Saudi Arabia.
BACKGROUND
Information on scorpion stings is available for many parts of Saudi Arabia, but not for Al-Jouf Province.


METHODS
We reviewed and analyzed 1449 cases of scorpion stings that presented to the emergency department of the hospitals and medical centers in Al-Jouf Province during a 2-year period (2005-2006).


RESULTS
The majority of patients (92.7%) manifested class I envenomation with local pain at the sting site as the primary complaint. Systemic toxicity was noticed in 7.3% of cases but no deaths were reported. Scorpion stings were recorded throughout the year with the highest seasonal incidence in the summer (64.3%) and the lowest during the winter (10.6%). The highest monthly incidence was in June (21.5%) and the lowest in December (1.5%). Most of the patients were male (77.3%) and the age of 44.2% of victims ranged between 15 to 30 years. Diurnal stings exceeded the nocturnal ones with a ratio of 3:2, and most of the stings were located mainly on the exposed limbs (88.6%), especially the lower limbs (51.7%). Leiurus quinquestriatus and Androctonus crassicauda were incriminated in most recorded cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that scorpion stings are common in Al-Jouf Province, especially during the summer. The overall threat to human health was found to be low.
Jarrar
Bashir M
BM
Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia.
Al-Rowaily
Meshref A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001098:Spider Bites / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000997:Antivenins; D012604:Scorpion Venoms