A review on the Scorpaena plumieri fish venom and its bioactive compounds

The most poisonous fish species found along the Brazilian coast is the spotted scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri. Though hardly ever life-threatening to humans, envenomation by S. plumieri can be quite hazardous, provoking extreme pain and imposing significant socioeconomic costs, as the victims may require days to weeks to recover from their injuries. In this review we will walk the reader through the biological features that distinguish this species as well as the current epidemiological knowledge related to the envenomation and its consequences. But above all, we will discuss the challenges involved in the biochemical characterization of the S. plumieri venom and its compounds, focusing then on the successful isolation and pharmacological analysis of some of the bioactive molecules responsible for the effects observed upon envenomation as well as on experimental models. Despite the achievement of considerable progress, much remains to be done, particularly in relation to the non-proteinaceous components of the venom. Therefore, further studies are necessary in order to provide a more complete picture of the venom's chemical composition and physiological effects. Given that fish venoms remain considerably less studied when compared to terrestrial venoms, the exploration of their full potential opens a myriad of possibilities for the development of new drug leads and tools for elucidating the complex physiological processes.(AU)

A review on the Scorpaena plumieri fish venom and its bioactive compounds

The most poisonous fish species found along the Brazilian coast is the spotted scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri. Though hardly ever life-threatening to humans, envenomation by S. plumieri can be quite hazardous, provoking extreme pain and imposing significant socioeconomic costs, as the victims may require days to weeks to recover from their injuries. In this review we will walk the reader through the biological features that distinguish this species as well as the current epidemiological knowledge related to the envenomation and its consequences. But above all, we will discuss the challenges involved in the biochemical characterization of the S. plumieri venom and its compounds, focusing then on the successful isolation and pharmacological analysis of some of the bioactive molecules responsible for the effects observed upon envenomation as well as on experimental models. Despite the achievement of considerable progress, much remains to be done, particularly in relation to the non-proteinaceous components of the venom. Therefore, further studies are necessary in order to provide a more complete picture of the venoms chemical composition and physiological effects. Given that fish venoms remain considerably less studied when compared to terrestrial venoms, the exploration of their full potential opens a myriad of possibilities for the development of new drug leads and tools for elucidating the complex physiological processes.(AU)

A review on the Scorpaena plumieri fish venom and its bioactive compounds

The most poisonous fish species found along the Brazilian coast is the spotted scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri. Though hardly ever life-threatening to humans, envenomation by S. plumieri can be quite hazardous, provoking extreme pain and imposing significant socioeconomic costs, as the victims may require days to weeks to recover from their injuries. In this review we will walk the reader through the biological features that distinguish this species as well as the current epidemiological knowledge related to the envenomation and its consequences. But above all, we will discuss the challenges involved in the biochemical characterization of the S. plumieri venom and its compounds, focusing then on the successful isolation and pharmacological analysis of some of the bioactive molecules responsible for the effects observed upon envenomation as well as on experimental models. Despite the achievement of considerable progress, much remains to be done, particularly in relation to the non-proteinaceous components of the venom. Therefore, further studies are necessary in order to provide a more complete picture of the venoms chemical composition and physiological effects. Given that fish venoms remain considerably less studied when compared to terrestrial venoms, the exploration of their full potential opens a myriad of possibilities for the development of new drug leads and tools for elucidating the complex physiological processes.

Microbiota characterization of the catfish (Cathorops agassizii and Genidens genidens) sting venom / Caracterização microbiológica do veneno do ferrão do Bagre (Cathoropsagassizii and Genidens genidens)

This work aimed to study the bacterial contamination of the catfishes stings Genidens genidens (Valenciennes, 1839); and Cathorops agassizii (Agassiz, 1829) found in the estuary-bay complex of Santos and São Vicente (São Paulo State). Fish samples for bacteriological analyses were obtained and constituted of a group of 50 specimens, being 25 of Cathorops agassizii and 25 of Genidens genidens,. The bacteriological analyses showed that there was contamination of the stings by 13 different strains of Enterobacteriaceae with Klebsiella pneumoniae (26,80%) as the most frequent bacteria and lower percentual frequencies for Enterobacter sp and Escherichia coli (16,27%) and Serratia marcescens, Serratia sp. and Proteus mirabilis (1,16%). Gram positive bacteria, as well fungi species were not detected in the samples. In basis of the Gram negative species characterized , is possible to consider the bacterial strains are representative of the environmental public health conditions, as well as, accidents with these fish stings are able to develop significative acute secondary infections in humans.(AU)

Este trabalho teve por objetivo o estudo da contaminação bacteriana do veneno do ferrão dos bagres Genidens genidens (Valenciennes, 1839); e Cathorops agassizji (Agassiz, 1829) encontrados no Complexo Baia-Estuário de Santos e de São Vicente (Estado de São Paulo). Foram obtidas amostras dos peixes para análises bacteriológicas que constituíam de um grupo de 50 espécimes sendo, 25 Cathorops agassizii e 25 de Genidens genidens. As análises bacteriológicas mostraram que havia contaminação nos ferrões por 13 diferentes linhagens de Enterobacteriaceae, sendo a Klebsiella pneumoniae (26,80%) a bactéria mais freqüente enquanto que as Enterobacter sp e Escherichia coli (16,27%), Serratia marcescens, Serratia sp e Proteus mirabilis (1,16%) apresentaram os mais baixos percentuais de contaminação. Nas amostras que apresentaram Bactérias Gram positivas não foram detectadas espécies de fungos. Enquanto que nas amostras que apresentaram bactérias Gram negativas, foi possível considerar alta contaminação bacteriana representando periculosidade em relação aos aspectos ambientais voltados á saúde pública. Destaca-se ainda que acidentes ocorridos por ferimentos causados em função do ferrão do bagre podem desenvolver significativas infecções secundárias agudas em humanos.(AU)