Assessing the burden of Scorpionism: Epidemiological trends and health outcomes in Northwest of Iran.

IF 3.4 2区医学 Q1 PARASITOLOGY

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Pub Date : 2025-07-03 eCollection Date: 2025-07-01 DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0013201

Madineh Abbasi, Mehran Shahi, Hossein Barahoei, Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd, Ali Banagozar Mohammadi, Mahasti Alizadeh, Mostafa Farmani, Simin Khayatzadeh, Karim Gerami, Abdollah Badzohreh, Aida Amirijavid, Saideh Yousefi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: While only a limited number of scorpion species are classified as dangerous to humans, the potentially life-threatening effects of their stings classify scorpionism as a global health concern. Iran, with its high scorpion diversity, reported more than 63,000 scorpion sting cases in 2023. This study aims to elucidate the epidemiological characteristics of scorpion envenomation in northwest Iran.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of two years (2022-2023) in northwest Iran. The research focused on scorpion sting cases that required treatment at 25 scorpion sting treatment centers (SSTCs) across the East Azerbaijan Province. Data were collected from scorpion sting cases presenting for treatment. Statistical analyses were performed, using Chi² and Mann-Whitney tests for both descriptive and analytical evaluations. Geographic distribution maps were generated to illustrate the locations of sting incidents relative to treatment facilities.

Result: During two years, 3,154 scorpion sting cases were reported in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Most patients were aged 31 to 40 years, with 54.9% being male. Most stings occurred in urban areas (48.7%) and primarily indoors (75%). Remarkably, 99.96% of cases resulted in full recovery, with only one death reported. Treatment methods included wound cleaning (50.8%) and the administration of antivenom (53.2%). The results indicate scorpion stings peak during the summer months, with the highest frequency occurring between midnight and 2 AM.

Conclusion: This study highlights the public health challenge posed by scorpion stings in East Azerbaijan Province. While recovery rates are high, further efforts are needed to improve public health interventions, including educational programs for vulnerable groups such as farmers and children. Enhancing access to medical care and timely treatment is essential to reducing morbidity and mortality. Future research should focus on local scorpion species and develop tailored prevention strategies to mitigate scorpionism.

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评估蝎子病的负担：伊朗西北部的流行病学趋势和健康结果

背景：虽然只有有限数量的蝎子物种被归类为对人类有危险，但它们的蜇伤可能危及生命的影响使蝎子病成为一个全球性的健康问题。蝎子种类繁多的伊朗，在2023年报告了超过6.3万起蝎子蜇伤案件。本研究旨在阐明伊朗西北部蝎子中毒的流行病学特征。方法：这项回顾性描述性横断面研究在伊朗西北部进行了两年（2022-2023）。该研究的重点是需要在东阿塞拜疆省25个蝎子蜇伤治疗中心（SSTCs）治疗的蝎子蜇伤病例。数据收集自就诊的蝎子蜇伤病例。采用Chi²和Mann-Whitney检验对描述性和分析性评价进行统计分析。绘制了地理分布图，以说明刺痛事件相对于治疗设施的位置。结果：两年来，伊朗东阿塞拜疆省共报告蝎子蜇伤病例3154例。患者多为31 ~ 40岁，男性占54.9%。大多数蜇伤发生在城市地区（48.7%），主要发生在室内（75%）。值得注意的是，99.96%的病例完全康复，仅报告了一例死亡。治疗方法包括伤口清洗（50.8%）和抗蛇毒血清（53.2%）。结果表明，夏季是蝎子蜇伤的高峰期，发生频率最高的时段是午夜至凌晨2点。结论：本研究突出了东阿塞拜疆省蝎子蜇伤对公共卫生构成的挑战。虽然恢复率很高，但需要进一步努力改善公共卫生干预措施，包括针对农民和儿童等弱势群体的教育方案。增加获得医疗保健和及时治疗的机会对于降低发病率和死亡率至关重要。未来的研究应侧重于当地的蝎子种类，并制定有针对性的预防策略来减轻蝎子病。

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来源期刊

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases PARASITOLOGY-TROPICAL MEDICINE

自引率

10.50%

发文量

723

期刊介绍： PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases publishes research devoted to the pathology, epidemiology, prevention, treatment and control of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), as well as relevant public policy. The NTDs are defined as a group of poverty-promoting chronic infectious diseases, which primarily occur in rural areas and poor urban areas of low-income and middle-income countries. Their impact on child health and development, pregnancy, and worker productivity, as well as their stigmatizing features limit economic stability. All aspects of these diseases are considered, including: Pathogenesis Clinical features Pharmacology and treatment Diagnosis Epidemiology Vector biology Vaccinology and prevention Demographic, ecological and social determinants Public health and policy aspects (including cost-effectiveness analyses).