Scorpion bite prevalence and complications: report from a referral centre in southern Iran.
In this study we describe the clinical features of scorpion bites in southern Iran. The records of scorpion bite victims from January 2000 to January 2009 were obtained from the record library of the Shiraz Nemazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. A total of 232 scorpion bite patients were included. Only 14 patients (6%) developed systemic complications. Acute renal failure (ARF) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were the most prevalent systemic complications. The renal toxicity of scorpion envenomation is mostly due to Hemiscorpius lepturus stings and this complication is more common in younger children. This may be due to a higher ratio of venom to body mass compared with adults. H. lepturus venom is naturally cytotoxic and may bind directly to kidney tissue causing tubular injury and inducing DIC and haemolysis.
Nephrology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Mohammad Mahdi
MM
Sagheb
Maryam
M
Sharifian
Maryam
M
Moini
Amir Hossein
AH
Sharifian
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000506:poisoning; D012605:Scorpions; D055815:Young Adult
D012604:Scorpion Venoms