Retrospective clinical and epidemiological analysis of scorpionism at a referral hospital for the treatment of accidents by venomous animals in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, 2007-2017

Authors

  • Jamile Taniele-Silva Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5472-9409
  • Lycia Gama Martins Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde
  • Marília Barroso de Sousa Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Faculdade de Medicina
  • Letícia Moreira de Souza Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Faculdade de Medicina
  • Rodolfo Mathias Barros Cardoso Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Faculdade de Medicina
  • Santiago René Unda Velasco Universidad Nacional de La Rioja, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7319-6794
  • Geymerson dos Santos Ramos Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Instituto de Computação
  • Cláudio Torres de Miranda Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Faculdade de Medicina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9602-6736
  • Adriana Ávila Moura Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Faculdade de Medicina
  • Letícia Anderson Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3884-2329
  • Ênio José Bassi Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7956-5746

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-9946202062026

Keywords:

Scorpionism, Scorpion stings, Tropical medicine, Epidemiology

Abstract

Scorpionism has a high incidence rate in Brazil. It is considered a serious public health problem mainly in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The number of scorpion accidents have increased over the years and the highest frequencies have been reported mainly in the Brazilian Northeast region. Therefore, in this study we report a retrospective clinical and epidemiological analysis of scorpion stings from 2007 to 2017 in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, at a referral hospital for assistance and treatment of accidents by venomous animals. During the analyzed period, the referral hospital treated 27,988 cases, and an increase in the number of cases has taken place over the years. The highest frequency of scorpion stings was observed in females, and the age range most affected was from 20 to 29 years old. The most stung body site was the foot, followed by finger, toe or hand. Regarding the severity, most severe cases were reported in children up to 4 years old (69.4%) and 50% of the total cases treated with serotherapy corresponded to patients in this age range. Interestingly, it was also found that the occurrence of systemic manifestations and the severity of the cases were significantly associated with pediatric patients. In this way, this study highlights the scorpionism as an environmental public health problem in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, as well as the need to intensify the epidemiological surveillance and educational campaigns to prevent and control scorpion accidents throughout the year.

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Published

2020-05-27

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Retrospective clinical and epidemiological analysis of scorpionism at a referral hospital for the treatment of accidents by venomous animals in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, 2007-2017. (2020). Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 62, e26. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-9946202062026