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Histopathological changes on mice heart. (a) Control tissue; (b–d). Envenoming with 35% LD50; (b1,c1,d1) envenoming with 75% LD50 of C. margaritatus (Right ventricle); T. pachyurus (left ventricle), and T. n. sp. aff. metuendus (left ventricle) venom respectively. HA: heart attack outbreaks (b1,c,c1) under 10× magnification. Others with 40× magnification, hematoxylin-eosin stain.
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Among other scorpion species, Colombia has two genera of the Buthidae family Centruroides and Tityus, considered to be dangerous to humans. This research shares scientific knowledge aiming to a better understanding about the pathophysiological effects of such venoms. The venom of the three species: Centruroides margaritarus, Tityus pachyurus, and T...
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Scorpion envenomation is a challenge for the healthcare system. The development of inflammation is very interesting yet at the same time, an important effect of the scorpion venom, being indicative of the severity and progression of envenomation. Excretion of venom toxins and endotoxins by kidneys expectedly makes this organ a perfect target for in...
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Citations
... Tityus trivittatus, recognized by its yellowreddish coloration with three dark longitudinal stripes, is synanthropic and responsible for a high incidence of urban accidents in the Midwest, Southeast, and South regions (Bertani et al., 2024a;de Roodt, 2014;Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2021). Tityus metuendus inhabits the North and is identifiable by its dark red coloration, with juveniles showing yellowish-brown spots (Lourenço, 1983;Mendoza-Tobar et al., 2021). Finally, Tityus silvestris, a polymorphic species found primarily in leaf litter in the Amazon, measures 2.5-5.0 cm and is a major source of severe envenomations in the region (Guerra-Duarte et al., 2023;Lira et al., 2021;Vilarinho et al., 2023). ...
Urban environments provide Tityus scorpions with abundant prey and shelter, leading to increased humanscorpion
encounters and associated public health risks. In this study, we model the distribution of seven medically
relevant Tityus species and project the potential impacts of climate change on their distribution across
Brazil by 2060. We compiled 1103 occurrence records from the GBIF, iNaturalist, SpeciesLink, and SiBBr databases
and applied ecological niche modeling using climate projections for 2041–2060 from WorldClim. Model
validation yielded high AUC values, demonstrating a strong agreement between observed distributions and
model predictions. Future climate scenarios predict a reduction in Tityus serrulatus habitat suitability. Despite
this reduction, models indicate an increase in high-suitability areas, suggesting a possible local expansion in optimal
habitats. Conversely, T. metuendus, T. obscurus, and T. silvestris are expected to undergo a significant increase
in habitat suitability, potentially expanding into previously unsuitable areas due to temperature and precipitation
shifts. Tityus stigmurus is also projected to benefit from climate change with an increase in suitable habitats,
although its expansion is more restricted compared to the other species. In contrast, T. bahiensis and T. trivittatus
are expected to face a reduction in habitat suitability. These findings highlight that climate-driven habitat reduction
may concentrate scorpion populations in densely populated areas, exacerbating public health risks. Therefore,
targeted governmental interventions are crucial to mitigate the escalating threat posed by Tityus scorpions
in urban settings under climate change scenarios.
... 7 This difference could lend some support for the idea that venom toxicity varies according to species size, age, nutrition, climatic, and geographic conditions. 21,23 The LD 50 value (0.52 mg·kg -1 ) suggests that B paris venom is highly toxic and supports the probable medical significance of the species and the importance of further research to understand and address the potential medical consequences associated with its venom. ...
Introduction
Buthus species, including B paris, are classified as one of the most dangerous scorpion genera in Morocco, implicated in several cases of human death. Our objective is to characterize, for the first time, the toxicity and histopathologic and biochemical impacts of B paris venom.
Methods
We investigated the experimental pathophysiology of B paris venom by examining histologic changes in vital organs (heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs) and assessing biochemical enzymatic markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, urea, and creatinine) in mice injected subcutaneously with 2 doses of 400 and 450 mg·kg –1 .
Results
Our results showed that the subcutaneous median lethal dose of B paris venom was around 0.52 mg·kg –1 . Histologic findings revealed significant tissue damage in the previously mentioned vital organs, confirmed through biochemical analysis indicating impaired heart and liver functions. Additionally, an increase in urea, creatinine, and glucose levels occurred following B paris venom injection.
Conclusion
Our findings show that B paris venom exhibits a high level of experimental toxicity. These results highlight the potentially lethal nature of this venom and emphasize the potential medical importance of this species.
... metuendus. These species are known to cause scorpionism and significant histopathological damage, renal alterations, and cardiovascular effects, as demonstrated in recent studies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. However, there has been limited research on the composition and biological activity of the different compounds in these scorpion venoms. ...
Background
In Colombia, several species of Buthidae scorpions belonging to the genera Centruroides and Tityus coexist, and their stings are considered life-threatening to humans because of their venom neurotoxins. Despite previous studies focusing on neurotoxins from these scorpion genera, little is known about the enzymes present in their venoms and their relationship with whole venom toxicity.
Methods
Here, using proteomic and biochemical protocols the enzymatic activities of the venoms of three Colombian scorpion species, C. margaritatus, T. pachyurus, and T. n. sp. aff. metuendus, were compared to establish the presence and absence of enzymes such as phospholipases, hyaluronidases, and proteases that could be related to venom toxicity. Results: C. margaritatus was positive for hyaluronidases, T. n. sp. aff. metuendus for proteases, and T. pachyurus exhibited activity for all three mentioned enzymes.
Conclusion
This information provides valuable insights into the specific enzyme diversity of each species’ venom and their potential role in venom toxicity, which could contribute to the development of better treatments and prevention strategies for scorpion envenomation.
... Despite previous work on animal models showing similar histopathological and clinical effects among the three species studied (Mendoza-Tobar et al., 2021) in this work, we were able to identify fractions toxic to mice and crickets. Regardless of similarities to other scorpion species, it is important to note that the pool of toxins varies depending on the geographical area. ...
... Although antibody recognition was evident, neutralization assays were performed (Table 4). The purified antibodies from rabbit neutralized 30 µg, equivalent to 1.5 x LD 50 (Mendoza-Tobar et al., 2021) of the most toxic scorpion venom used in this work, which was T. n. sp. aff. ...
... Fifty complete sequences of coding transcripts in the transcriptome and fourteen proteins in proteome analyses were identified. These peptides are the most abundant in the venom of scorpions of the Centruroides genus, and are the main toxins responsible for causing the symptoms and signs of envenoming in mammalians [16]. C. hirsutipalpus, with 77 β-NaTxs, is thus far the scorpion described as having the highest number of transcripts assumed to code for sodium channel toxins affecting mammals [17], whereas C. limpidus contains 59 transcripts [10], Tityus obscurus 48 [18], and C. hentzi 36 transcripts [19]. ...
Centruroides possanii is a recently discovered species of “striped scorpion” found in Mexico. Certain species of Centruroides are known to be toxic to mammals, leading to numerous cases of human intoxications in the country. Venom components are thought to possess therapeutic potential and/or biotechnological applications. Hence, obtaining and analyzing the secretory gland transcriptome and venom proteome of C. possanii is relevant, and that is what is described in this communication. Since this is a newly described species, first, its LD50 to mice was determined and estimated to be 659 ng/g mouse weight. Using RNA extracted from this species and preparing their corresponding cDNA fragments, a transcriptome analysis was obtained on a Genome Analyzer (Illumina) using the 76-base pair-end sequencing protocol. Via high-throughput sequencing, 19,158,736 reads were obtained and ensembled in 835,204 sequences. Of them, 28,399 transcripts were annotated with Pfam. A total of 244 complete transcripts were identified in the transcriptome of C. possanii. Of these, 109 sequences showed identity to toxins that act on ion channels, 47 enzymes, 17 protease inhibitors (PINs), 11 defense peptides (HDPs), and 60 in other components. In addition, a sample of the soluble venom obtained from this scorpion was analyzed using an Orbitrap Velos apparatus, which allowed for identification by liquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of 70 peptides and proteins: 23 toxins, 27 enzymes, 6 PINs, 3 HDPs, and 11 other components. Until now, this work has the highest number of scorpion venom components identified through omics technologies. The main novel findings described here were analyzed in comparison with the known data from the literature, and this process permitted some new insights in this field.
... T. pachyurus LD 50 value (53.3 µg/mice or 2.6 mg/kg) showed a lower LD 50 value against the other venoms in concordance with the result published by Otero et al. and Barona et al. [4,6]. The LD 50 values from T. pachyurus, T. fuhrmanni, and Centruroides, were similar to previous LD 50 reports (although below) by Mendoza-Tobar et al., Gomez et al., and Estrada-Gomez et al., respectively [5,13,14]. Only T. asthenes venom showed a difference from the previous report by Gomez et al. [13]. ...
Scorpion stings are a public health event in Colombia lacking official epidemiological data, and are considered a medical emergency. Despite the two local producers of antivenoms, neither of them is currently manufacturing scorpion antivenoms. We present the characterization of a lab-scale process to produce the first specific scorpion antivenom for Colombia, formulated to cover scorpion stings produced by Tityus pachyurus, Tityus asthenes, Tityus fuhrmanii, Centruroides spp. To do so, rabbits were immunized by subcutaneous injection with each venom using an immunization program of 3 months. After each rabbit reached the required IgG concentration, rabbits were bled, and plasma was separated by decantation under refrigeration. Immunoglobulins were purified from each hyperimmune plasma using a methodology including precipitation with ammonium sulfate, thermocoagulation, and purification through an ultrafiltration process using a ready-to-use and reusable laboratory crossflow tangential cassette with a polyethersulfone membrane. Each hyperimmune plasma was processed by being separated and freeze-dried at the end of the process. Rabbits were able to produce specific IgG antibodies recognizing the respective immunization venom; even an in vitro interspecies cross-recognition was detected. The separation and purification processes allowed us to obtain IgG products without considerable contaminants (except for albumin). The process was characterized, and critical stages were identified.
Introduction
Scorpion envenomation is a leading cause of envenomation in our region. Antivenom has been used successfully to treat the systemic manifestations of envenomations inflicted by toxic scorpions. Toxic scorpions common in our area include Leiurus quinquestriatus , Androctonus australis , and Buthus occitanus . This study describes the outcomes of children envenomated by these scorpions, and treated with SCORPIFAV, a polyvalent scorpion antivenom F(ab’) 2 (equine), used since 2016 at our institution.
Methods
A retrospective chart review of all children admitted with symptoms and signs of scorpion envenomation to Soroka University Medical Center, between September 1, 2019, and December 1, 2020, who received antivenom SCORPIFAV. Our center has a protocol mandating antivenom therapy for all patients manifesting autonomic excitation, agitation, and anxiety, or more pronounced symptoms, following suspected scorpion envenomation.
Results
Three hundred patients were seen in the pediatric emergency department for scorpion envenomation during the study period, and 49 required antivenom (SCORPIFAV) as per departmental policy. Four of 49 developed allergic reactions during antivenom treatment: 2 manifested minor skin rashes treated with antihistamines only, and a further 2 required intramuscular adrenaline. There were no deaths in the study cohort and all patients recovered fully, with complete resolution of symptoms, signs, and laboratory features.
Conclusions
Patients treated with antivenom exhibited rapid resolution of symptoms without severe hypersensitivity. We recommend broadened availability of antivenom at sites where it is needed.
