title: Scorpion fauna and epidemiological aspects of scorpionism in southeastern Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the scorpion fauna and classify the epidemiological aspects of scorpionism in an endemic region, Southeast Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scorpionism data were collected from health centers and hospitals in Sistan-Baluchestan Province during 2010-2011. Specimens were collected at night, using UV light, between May and October 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 246 scorpions were collected from two families (Buthidae and Scorpionidae). Five species including Odontobuthus odonturus, Hottentotta (Buthotus) jayakari, Compsobuthus matthiesseni, Scorpio maurus and Orthochirus scrobiculosus are reported for the first time from this area. Androctonus crassicauda was the dominant species. In total, 3 638 scorpion sting cases were recorded by health system, the majority of which were females. Stings mostly occurred in July and the age group of 15-24 years presented the highest frequency. Scorpionism decreased during 2011 compared with that in 2010 (68.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the results, scorpionism is a serious health problem in this area and increasing knowledge of residents regarding the prevention methods of scorpion stings is recommended. Additional research on the scorpion fauna, their ecological and molecular variety in this part of the country is needed as well as the correlation between scorpions' species and the clinical signs and symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Research Center, Department of Disease Control & Prevention, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Jalil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nejati
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Entomology & Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mozafari
authors.affiliation: Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: Abedin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saghafipour
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disease Control & Prevention, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Malek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiyani
keywords: Epidemiology; Iran; Scorpion fauna; Scorpionism