Scorpion Stings in Saudi Arabia: An Overview
Keywords:
“Scorpions”, “envenomation”, “Saudi Arabia”, “prevalence”, “incidence”, and “forensic”Abstract
Background: Scorpion envenomation is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in children and elderly worldwide. In Saudi Arabia it is an important issue as the climate and the desert terrain are ideal for scorpions’ habitat.
Methods: A literature review of articles on the incidence of scorpion stings in Saudi Arabia.
Results: In Saudi Arabia, 28 species of scorpions were identified. Approximately 14,500 scorpion stings are annually reported, with full recovery and low morbidity and mortality rates. The highest risk groups to get envenomated are people living in the desert. And the highest incidence of scorpion stings was during the summer season.
Conclusion: The number of scorpion stings in Saudi Arabia is considerable and there were insufficient studies regarding such topic. The aim of this study is to emphasize on the importance of scorpion stings in Saudi Arabia and providing updates regarding scorpion types, clinical presentations, and statistical data.
References
Abd El-Aziz Feza, El Shehaby DM, Elghazally SA, Hetta HF. Toxicological and Epidemiological Studies of Scorpion Sting Cases and Morphological Characterization of Scorpions (Leiurusquin questriatus and Androctonus crassicauda) in Luxor, Egypt. Toxicology Reports. 2019 Apr 8;6:329-335.
Santos MSV, Silva CGL, Neto BS, Grangeiro Júnior CRP, Lopes VHG, Teixeira Júnior AG, et al. Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of Scorpionism in the World: A Systematic Review. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine. 2016 Dec;27(4):504-518.
Chippaux JP, Goyffon M. Epidemiology of Scorpionism: A Global Appraisal. Acta Tropica. 2008 Aug;107(2):71-9.
Ebrahimi V, Hamdami E, Moemenbellah-Fard MD, Ezzatzadegan Jahromi S. Predictive Determinants of Scorpion Stings in A Tropical Zone of South Iran: Use of Mixed Seasonal Autoregressive Moving Average Model Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2017;23(1):39
Mowry JB, Spyker DA, Brooks DE, Mcmillan N, Schauben JL. 2014 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers National Poison Data System (NPDS): 32nd Annual Report. Clinical Toxicology (philadelphia, pa.) 2015;53(10):962–1147.
Kang AM, Brooks DE. Nationwide Scorpion Exposures Reported to US Poison Control Centers from 2005 to 2015. Journal of Medical Toxicology 2017;13(2):158–65.
Al-Sadoon MK, Jarrar BM. Epidemiological Study of Scorpion Stings in Saudi Arabia Between 1993 and 1997. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2003;9(1):54-64
Ali NOM, Ali NOM. Scorpion Sting in Different Regions of Sudan : Epidemiological and Clinical Survey Among University Students. International Journal of Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering 2015;1(2):147–52.
Rodrigo C, Gnanathasan A. Management of Scorpion Envenoming: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Clinical Trials. Biomed Central Journal Systematic Review. 2017;6(1):1–12.
Yilmaz F, Deniz Arslan E, Demir A, Kavalci C, Durdu T, Serkan Yilmaz M, et al. Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting in the Southeastern Region of Turkey. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg Turkish Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery. 2013;19(5):417-422.
Kumar CM, Prasad NS V. Factors Determining Poor Prognosis in Scorpion Sting in Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Indian Journal Child Health. 2016;03(04):293–7.
Al-Asmari A, Al-Saif A, Abdo N, Al-Moutaery K, Al-Harbi N. A Review of the Scorpion Fauna of Saudi Arabia. Egyptian Journal of Natural History. 2013;6(1):1-21
Al-Asmari AK, Al-Saief AA, Abdo NM, Al-Moutaery KR. New Additions to the Scorpion Fauna of Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. 2009;15(4):612-632.
Jahan S, Mohammed Al Saigul A, Abdul Rahim Hamed S. Scorpion stings in Qassim, Saudi Arabia-A 5-year Surveillance Report. Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology. 2007;50(2):302-305.
Jarrar BM, Al-Rowaily MA. Epidemiological Aspects of Scorpion Stings in Al-Jouf Province, Saudi Arabia. Annals of Saudi Medicine. 2008;28(3):183-187.
Al Asmari Dr. AK, Al Zahrani AG, Al Jowhary S, Arshaduddin M. Clinical Aspects and Frequency of Scorpion Stings in the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi medical journal. 2012 Aug;33(8):852-8.
Al-Asmari AK, Al-Saif AA. Scorpion Sting Syndrome in A General Hospital in Saudi Arabia. Saudi medical journal. 2004 Jan;25(1):64-70.
Ozkan O, Uzun R, Adiguzel S, Cesaretli Y, Ertek M. Evaluation of Scorpion Sting Incidence in Turkey. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. 2008;14(1):128-140.
Isbister GK, Graudins A, White J, Warrell D. Antivenom Treatment in Arachnidism. Journal of Toxicology - Clinical Toxicology. 2003;41(3):291-300
Al-Asmari AK, Al-Seif AA, Hassen MA, Abdulmaksood NA. Role of Prazosin on Cardiovascular Manifestations and Pulmonary Edema Following Severe Scorpion Stings in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal. 2008 Feb;29(2): 299-302.
Theakston RDG, Warrell DA, Griffiths E. Report of a WHO Workshop on the Standardization and Control of Antivenoms. Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology. 2003 Apr;41(5):541-57.
Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH. Utility of Scorpion Antivenin vs Prazosin in the Management of Severe Mesobuthus Tamulus (Indian Red Scorpion) Envenoming at Rural Setting. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 2007 Jan;55:14-21.
Cesaretli Yıldırım, Ozkan Ozcan. Scorpion stings in Turkey: Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects Between The Years 1995 and 2004. Revista Do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo. 2010 Aug ; 52( 4 ): 215-220.
Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med 6(7): e1000097. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed1000097
Groshong T. Scorpion Envenomation in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 1993; 22(9):1431-1437.
M. Ismail, M.A. Abd-Elsalam, A.M. Morad,. Do Changes in Body Temperature Following Envenomation by The Scorpion Leiurus Quinquestriatus Influence The Course of Toxicity?,. Toxicon : Official Journal of The International Society on Toxinology. 1990; 28(11): 1265-1284
M. Ismail,. The Scorpion Envenoming Syndrome. Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology. 1995; 33(7): 825-858.
El-Amin Eo, Ul-Din-Khan M. Hematological and Biochemical Findings in Scorpion Stung Children. Annals of Saudi Medicine 1991 Nov;11(6):625-7.
Khan A, Al-Kathiri W, Balkhi B, Samrkandi O, Al-Khalifa M, Asiri Y. The Burden of Bites and Stings Management: Experience of an Academic Hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2020;28(8):1049-1054.
Ismail M, Abd-Elsalam M, Al-Ahaidib M. Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier), a Dangerous and Unduly Neglected Scorpion—I. Pharmacological and Clinical Studies. Toxicon. 1994;32(12):1599-1618.
Kumar E, Soomro R, Al Hamdani A, El Shimy N. Scorpion Venom Cardiomyopathy. American Heart Journal. 1992;123(3):725-729.
Warrell DA. Venomous bites, stings, and poisoning: An update. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2019;33(1):17–38.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Transfer of Copyright and Permission to Reproduce Parts of Published Papers.
Authors retain the copyright for their published work. No formal permission will be required to reproduce parts (tables or illustrations) of published papers, provided the source is quoted appropriately and reproduction has no commercial intent. Reproductions with commercial intent will require written permission and payment of royalties.
How to Cite
