ABSTRACT
Introducción. El emponzoñamiento por Tityus carrilloi n. sp. representa una amenaza para la vida. Según las manifestaciones clínicas, se clasifica en leve, moderado y grave. Objetivo. Comparar las características epidemiológicas y bioquímicas en niños con escorpionismo leve, moderado y grave. Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo. Se analizaron las consultas de menores de 15 años picados por Tityus carrilloi n. sp. entre enero de 2017 y diciembre de 2018 en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel en Santa Fe (Argentina). Resultados. Se incluyeron 524 niños, el 81 % (421) con dolor local y el 19 % (103) con manifestaciones sistémicas. Los niños con síntomas sistémicos de escorpionismo fueron más pequeños en edad que los que presentaron manifestaciones locales (p <0,001). En el invierno los niños desarrollaron 8 veces más manifestaciones sistémicas de escorpionismo y durante la primavera, 2,4 veces más que durante el verano. De los 103 niños internados, 80 fueron casos moderados y 23, graves. No hubo diferencias entre grupos en edad (p = 0,29) ni en la demora en recibir suero antiescorpiónico (p = 0,81). El tiempo de internación fue mayor en los graves (p <0,001). Los valores de glóbulos blancos o glucemia mayores a 30 000 cel/ml y 300 mg/dl respectivamente estuvieron presentes casi exclusivamente en escorpionismos graves. Conclusión. En niños picados por el escorpión Tityus carrilloi n. sp., el riesgo de desarrollar manifestaciones sistémicas fue mayor cuanto menor fue la edad y durante el invierno y la primavera. Los valores de glóbulos blancos y de glucemia fueron mayores en niños con escorpionismo grave.
Introduction. Scorpion envenomation by Tityus carrilloi n. sp. represents a threat to life. Depending on its clinical manifestations, it is classified as mild, moderate or severe. Objective. To compare the epidemiological and biochemical characteristics among children with mild, moderate, and severe scorpionism. Population and methods. Descriptive, crosssectional, and retrospective study. The consultations at a tertiary care children's hospital in Santa Fe (Argentina) of children under 15 years of age stung by Tityus carrilloi n. sp. between January 2017 and December 2018 were analyzed. Results. In total, 524 children were included, 81% (421) with local pain and 19% (103) with systemic manifestations. Children with systemic symptoms of scorpionism were younger in age than those with local manifestations (p < 0.001). In the winter, children developed 8 times more systemic manifestations of scorpionism; during the spring, 2.4 times more than during the summer. Out of the 103 hospitalized children, 80 were moderate cases and 23 severe cases. There were no differences between age groups (p = 0.29) or in the delay in receiving the anti-scorpion serum (p = 0.81). The length of hospital stay was longer among severe cases (p < 0.001). WBC and blood glucose levels higher than 30 000 cell/mL and 300 mg/dL, respectively, were present almost exclusively in severe scorpionism cases. Conclusion. In children stung by the scorpion Tityus carrilloi n. sp., the younger the age and during winter and spring, the higher the risk for systemic manifestations. WBC and blood glucose levels were higher in children with severe scorpionism.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Child , Scorpion Stings/diagnosis , Scorpion Stings/epidemiology , Scorpions , Blood Glucose , Cross-Sectional Studies , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Abstract This reports a case of scorpionism caused by Tityus serrulatus. A male adult was stung while unloading bananas at the supply center in Belém, Pará, Brazil. The bananas originated in another state (Bahia) and were brought to Belém by truck. The patient presented with pain, edema, and erythema at the sting site, and was classified as low-risk. The specimen was identified as T. serrulatus and symptomatic treatment and clinical observation were advised. The patient was discharged later without further complications. This is the first known envenomation caused by T. serrulatus, a non-native species to Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Scorpions/classification , Scorpion Stings/diagnosis , Pain/etiology , Brazil , Scorpion Stings/complicationsABSTRACT
El escorpionismo constituye un problema de salud pública con una incidencia en aumento en Argentina. El veneno contiene varias neurotoxinas capaces de generar una "tormenta autonómica" responsable de las manifestaciones clínicas. Los sistemas cardiovascular y respiratorio son los más afectados y su grado de compromiso determinará la morbimortalidad. Un 10 % de los casos en niños evolucionan a su forma grave. En esta serie retrospectiva, se describe la epidemiología y evolución de 17 pacientes ingresados a la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica entre enero de 2010 y enero de 2014. Si bien no hubo mortalidad, sí una alta morbilidad: 12 pacientes presentaron edema agudo de pulmón que requirió ventilación mecánica; 11 pacientes desarrollaron shock cardiogénico hipotensivo; 7, bajo gasto cardíaco grave y, en 6, se utilizó levosimendán por el carácter refractario de su bajo gasto.
Scorpionism is a public health problem with an increasing incidence in Argentina. The poison contains several neurotoxins capable of generating an "autonomic storm" responsible for the clinical manifestations. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems are the most affected ones and their degree of commitment will determine morbidity and mortality. A 10 % of cases in children evolve to their severe form. In this retrospective series, we describe the epidemiology and evolution of 17 patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit from January 2010 to January 2014. Although there was no mortality, there was a high morbidity: 12 patients had acute lung edema requiring mechanical ventilation, 11 patients developed hypotensive cardiogenic shock, 7 were under severe low cardiac output and in 6 levosimendan was used due to the low refractory output.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Child, Preschool , Scorpion Stings/diagnosis , Scorpion Stings/therapy , Scorpion Stings/epidemiology , Pediatrics , Shock , Critical Care , Scorpion Stings/complicationsABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION Infrared imaging (IR) is a noninvasive technique that quantifies body surface temperature, producing a digital color image. IR has been used to study diseases in which skin temperature can reflect the presence of inflammation. METHODS This was an observational pilot study of eight patients envenomed by snakes, spiders, and scorpions. All patients were examined using a thermal camera. RESULTS In all cases, we obtained infrared images that corroborated clinical findings indicating localized effects of venom, specifically inflammation. CONCLUSIONS IR has potential for use as a research, diagnostic, and monitoring tool for localized effects of animal venoms.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Spider Bites/diagnosis , Snake Bites/diagnosis , Thermography/methods , Scorpion Stings/diagnosis , Spider Bites/complications , Snake Bites/complications , Pilot Projects , Scorpion Stings/complicationsABSTRACT
Tucumán es una de las provincias con mayor incidencia de casos de escorpionismo. El objetivo es describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los casos de escorpionismo atendidos en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital Eva Perón, Banda del Río Salí, Tucumán, entre julio de 2013 y marzo de 2015. El total de pacientes fue cuarenta (n= 40), 21 varones y 19 mujeres. La edad promedio fue 6,89 años. Del total de casos, 34 (85%) fueronleves; 3 (7,5%), moderados; y 3 (7,5%), moderados-graves. La picadura se localizó más frecuentemente en las manos (en 9, 22,6%) y los pies (en 8, 20%). La identificación del alacrán solo se realizó en 3 oportunidades. A 6 pacientes se les administró el antídoto (correspondían a casos moderados y moderados-graves), con respuesta variable. La mayoría de los casos resultaron leves, pero es una entidad con potencial gravedad en su evolución. La prevención es clave, actividad que lleva a cabo este nosocomio.
Scorpionism in Tucumán is very frequent. The aim is to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cases of scorpionism that were seen in the Emergency Department of Eva Perón Hospital, Banda del Río Salí, Tucumán, between July 2013 and March 2015. Forty patients were assisted, 21 boys and 19 girls. The average age was 6.89 years. Thirty four (85%) resultedmild, 3 (7.5%) moderated, 3 (7.5%) moderated-severe. Hands (22.6%) and feet (20%) were the places in the body where the stings were more frequently localized. In only 3 cases the scorpion could be identified as Tityus trivittatus. Six (the moderate and moderate-severe cases) patients received specific antidote, with variable response. Although most of the cases were mild, this is an entity with severe prognosis in some patients. Epidemiological surveillance is necessary to arrange prevention measures, as we do in this Hospital.
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Scorpion Stings/diagnosis , Scorpion Stings/epidemiology , Argentina/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Secondary Care CentersABSTRACT
Abstract: Scorpion stings are currently the leading cause of venom-related injury to humans in Brazil and are a significant public health problem globally. Only scorpions of the Tityus genus are of medical importance in Brazil, and Tityus serrulatus is responsible for the most serious envenomations and deaths. The toxic effects of scorpion envenomation are due to a massive release of sympathetic and parasympathetic neurotransmitters; the severity is related to cardiac and hemodynamic changes, with cardiogenic shock and pulmonary edema contributing to the main causes of death. The pathophysiology of cardiac involvement has been discussed for decades and has been attributed to adrenergic discharge and a possible toxic effect of venom on the myocardium, while acute pulmonary edema may have a cardiogenic and/or non-cardiogenic origin. Currently, the clinical data point to catecholamine excess as the cause for reversible scorpion cardiomyopathy . These data include electrocardiographic changes, profiling of cardiac enzymes and troponin I, echocardiographic data with global or regional left ventricle dysfunction, and myocardial perfusion alterations compatible with spasm in the coronary microcirculation. Furthermore, recent data on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings, which are similar to those observed for stress-induced cardiomyopathy, have also been linked to catecholamine excess. The efficiency of antivenom serum treatment is controversial in the literature. Our experience in Brazil is that the management of patients with systemic manifestations of scorpion stings is based on three approaches, all of which are extremely important. These include symptomatic treatment, antivenom serum, and cardiorespiratory support.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Scorpion Venoms/poisoning , Severity of Illness Index , Antivenins/therapeutic use , Scorpion Stings/complications , Scorpion Stings/diagnosis , Scorpion Stings/drug therapy , Prognosis , BrazilABSTRACT
Os escorpiões representam um grave risco à saúde pública brasileira, especialmente nas ßreas urbanas, devido à alta incidência e potencial gravidade de casos ocorridos por acidentes com esses animais peçonhentos. Do ponto de vista médico-sanitario, o gênero Tityus, com destaque para a espécie Tityus serrulatus é, atualmente, o reponsßvel pelo maior número de casos de picadas de escorpião no país. O objetivo do presente estudo foi relatar e comparar dois casos clínicos de escorpionismo ocorridos no mês de março do ano de 2012, na região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Ambos os acidentes foram classificados como graves. Entre- tanto, as diferenças na abordagem e no manejo entre os dois casos clínicos foram consideradas fatores determinantes nas suas evoluções e prognósticos. Desta forma, fazer o diagnóstico e iniciar a administração de soroterapia antiveneno específica adequada o mais precocemente possível são essenciais nos casos de envenenamento por picada de escorpião, sendo os Centros de Informações e Assistência Toxicológi- cas (CIATs) ferramentas fundamentais...
Scorpions represent a serious risk to public health in Brazil, especial/y in urban areas due to lhe high incidence and potential severity of cases occurred in accidents with these poisonous animais. From the perspective of health care, the Tityus gender, especially the Tityus serrulatus species, is currently responsible for the largest number of cases of scorpion stings in the country. The purpose of the present work was to report and compare two clinical cases of scorpion envenomation occurred in March of 20/2, in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Both accidents were classified as severe cases. However, the differences in approach and management between the two clinical cases were considered determinant in their evolution and prognosis. Therefore, make the diagnosis and initiate the administration of properly specific antivenom serotherapy as early as possible are core in cases of poisoning by scorpions sting, and the Centers for Toxicological Information and Assistance (CIATs) are fundamental tools...
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Immunization, Passive , Scorpion Stings/complications , Scorpion Stings/diagnosis , Scorpion Stings/drug therapy , DeathABSTRACT
El escorpionismo, en su aspecto clínico es un envenenamiento de causa accidental producido por la inoculación del veneno de un alacrán o escorpión, que en Argentina ocurre predominantemente en áreas urbanas, en el ámbito domiciliario o peridomiciliario. En nuestro país son tres las especies de escorpiones de interés médico-sanitario: Tityus (T.) trivittatus, T. confluens y T. bahiensis. El cuadro clínico se caracteriza por presentar dolor agudo con escaso compromiso cutáneo y manifestaciones sistémicas que, sin tratamiento pueden provocar la muerte, principalmente en niños. El objetivo de esta comunicación es dar a conocer el primer caso de escorpionismo grave, ocurrido en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, en una niña de 4 años de edad y describir el cuadro clínico característico y la necesidad del tratamiento precoz en los casos moderados y severos.
Scorpionism in its clinical aspect is an envenoming caused by accidental sting and inoculation of venom from a scorpion, which in Argentina occurs predominantly in urban areas, in the home environment or peridomiciliary. In our country there are three species of scorpions of medical-health concern: Tityus (T.) trivittatus, T. confluens and T. bahiensis. The clinical picture is characterized by severe pain with limited cutaneous and systemic manifestations, that without treatment can cause death, especially in children. The aim of this communication is to present the first case of severe scorpionism occurred in the City of Buenos Aires, in a 4 years old girl, and to describe the characteristic clinical picture and the need for early treatment in moderate and severe cases of scorpionism.