OBJECTIVES: Scorpion envenomation is a common public health problem in Venezuela. We report an envenoming case by Tityus breweri, endemic to the Guayana Shield, southeast Venezuela, and the outcome of its treatment with antivenom anti-Tityus discrepans. Toxin composition and antigenic reactivity of T breweri venom were also explored. T breweri distribution range was re-evaluated. METHODS: Clinical signs and symptoms in an adult male were recorded after envenoming and treatment with antivenom. Toxin composition and antigenicity of T breweri venom were investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry. T breweri distribution range was reassessed by mapping new records of the species. RESULTS: The moderately severe case (a 21-year-old man) presented autonomic manifestations, including cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal effects. Full recovery was achieved after anti-T discrepans antivenom administration. T breweri venom contains toxins in the 6-8 kd range that affect voltage-sensitive sodium channels. Based on new records, T breweri distribution area reaches 12 155 km.(2) Inclusion of southeast Venezuela as an endemic area of scorpionism prompted the examination of clinical, immunological, and phylogenetic evidence for suggesting a partitioning of the Venezuelan Tityus fauna into toxinological provinces. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of the case reinforces categorization of the Guayana Shield region as a macroendemic area of scorpionism in Venezuela and allows classification of T breweri as a species of medical importance, with toxins immunologically related to central-eastern Venezuelan Tityus. Partitioning of the territory incorporating multiple criteria may help health authorities establish and implement preventive and therapeutic measures for scorpion envenoming in this region.
OBJECTIVES: Scorpion envenomation is a common public health problem in Venezuela. We report an envenoming case by Tityus breweri, endemic to the Guayana Shield, southeast Venezuela, and the outcome of its treatment with antivenom anti-Tityus discrepans. Toxin composition and antigenic reactivity of T breweri venom were also explored. T breweri distribution range was re-evaluated. METHODS: Clinical signs and symptoms in an adult male were recorded after envenoming and treatment with antivenom. Toxin composition and antigenicity of T breweri venom were investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry. T breweri distribution range was reassessed by mapping new records of the species. RESULTS: The moderately severe case (a 21-year-old man) presented autonomic manifestations, including cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal effects. Full recovery was achieved after anti-T discrepans antivenom administration. T breweri venom contains toxins in the 6-8 kd range that affect voltage-sensitive sodium channels. Based on new records, T breweri distribution area reaches 12 155 km.(2) Inclusion of southeast Venezuela as an endemic area of scorpionism prompted the examination of clinical, immunological, and phylogenetic evidence for suggesting a partitioning of the Venezuelan Tityus fauna into toxinological provinces. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of the case reinforces categorization of the Guayana Shield region as a macroendemic area of scorpionism in Venezuela and allows classification of T breweri as a species of medical importance, with toxins immunologically related to central-eastern Venezuelan Tityus. Partitioning of the territory incorporating multiple criteria may help health authorities establish and implement preventive and therapeutic measures for scorpion envenoming in this region.
Authors: Leonardo De Sousa; Adolfo Borges; Aleikar Vásquez-Suárez; Huub Jm Op den Camp; Rosa I Chadee-Burgos; Mirna Romero-Bellorín; Jorge Espinoza; Leonardo De Sousa-Insana; Oscar Pino-García Journal: J Venom Res Date: 2010-10-21
Authors: Jimmy A Guerrero-Vargas; Caroline B F Mourão; Verónica Quintero-Hernández; Lourival D Possani; Elisabeth F Schwartz Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-02-15 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama; Maria Beatriz Viana Dos Santos; Andria de Paula Santos-da-Silva; Hipócrates de Menezes Chalkidis; Andreia Souza-Imberg; Denise Maria Candido; Norma Yamanouye; Valquíria Abrão Coronado Dorce; Inácio de Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-de-Azevedo Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-03-21 Impact factor: 3.240