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Research article - Vol. 22, 2016 |
Scorpionism by Tityus silvestris in eastern Brazilian Amazon
Johne Souza Coelho1 2, Edna Aoba Yassui Ishikawa2, Paulo Roberto Silva Garcez dos Santos2, Pedro Pereira de Oliveira Pardal2
1 Postgraduate Program in Tropical Diseases, Center of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, PA, Brazil
2 Laboratory of Medical Entomology and Venomous Animals, Center of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Av. Generalíssimo Deodoro, 92, Umarizal, Belém 66055-240, Pará, Brazil
ABSTRACT
Background
Scorpionism is a serious public health problem in Brazil. Although cases of envenomation by scorpions are frequent in Brazil, Tityus silvestris - found throughout the Amazon region - is considered of minor medical significance and with only a few descriptions in the literature. This article aims to describe for the first time the epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of scorpion stings by T. silvestris that occurred in eastern Brazilian Amazon.
Methods
A prospective and observational study was carried out on 13 confirmed cases of T. silvestris envenomation registered from 2007 to 2011 in the cities of Belém and Ananindeua, Pará state, Brazil.
Results
The stings occurred mainly during daytime, at domiciliary environment, and the scorpions were found in clothing, fruits or vegetables. Envenomation was more frequent in the age group between 21 and 30 years old, upper limbs were more affected and medical aid was usually provided within two hours. Men and women were equally affected. Regarding severity, ten patients were classified as Class I and three patients as Class II according to the Scorpion Consensus Expert Group. Local manifestations were present in all patients, being pain the most common symptom. Mild systemic manifestations including nausea, vomiting, somnolence, malaise and prostration were observed in three victims. Symptomatic treatment of pain was offered to all patients, and only one received specific antivenom. All victims had a favorable outcome.
Conclusions
To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the systemic symptomatology of envenomation by T. silvestris in the Brazilian Amazon, highlighting the medical relevance of the species in this region. Further research on the venom and clinical manifestations of envenomation by T. silvestris should be conducted in order to verify the relevance of this species to public health.
Key words: Scorpion sting; Scorpionism; Tityus silvestris; Envenomation; Eastern Brazilian Amazon
Consent for publication
Written informed consent was obtained from the patients or legal guardians for publication of this study.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
This manuscript was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Tropical Medicine Center of the Federal University of Pará, document number 030/2010.
Received: January 29, 2016.
Revised: August 1, 2016.
Accepted: August 26, 2016.
Correspondence: johne@ufpa.br
doi: 10.1186/s40409-016-0079-2