Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 1 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
The epidemiology and severity of scorpion envenoming in South Africa as managed by the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre over a 10 year period
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Title
Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 1 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
The epidemiology and severity of scorpion envenoming in South Africa as managed by the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre over a 10 year period
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
The epidemiology and severity of scorpion envenoming in South Africa as managed by the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre over a 10 year period
Subject
Scorpion sting
Scorpionism
Envenomation
Epidemiology
Poisons centre
South Africa
Scorpionism
Envenomation
Epidemiology
Poisons centre
South Africa
Description
Introduction: South Africa has a wide distribution of scorpion species, yet limited data are available regarding
the incidence and severity of scorpion envenomation. The aim of this study was to analyse South African epidemiological
data of scorpion stings and envenomation as reported to the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre
(TPIC).
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of scorpion-related telephonic consultations to the TPIC over a
ten year period (1 January 2005 to 31 December 2014). Data were entered onto a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet
and descriptive statistics are presented for all variables. Associations with severity of envenomation are presented
as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).
Results: During the study period 52,163 consultations were processed by the TPIC of which 740 (1.4%) cases
involved scorpion stings. Of these, 146 (19.7%) cases were deemed serious envenomations. Antivenom was
recommended to be administered in 131 (90%) of these cases. Healthcare professionals made most calls (63%),
but were less likely to phone for non-serious cases (OR 0.16; 95%CI 0.09 to 0.29). The Western Cape Province
had the highest incidence of calls (6.9 scorpion-related calls/100 000 people). Adults (> 20 years) were victims
in 71.4% of cases, and were more likely to experience less serious stings (OR 0.57; 95%CI 0.37 to 0.86). The TPIC
was consulted within six hours of the sting occurring in 356 (48.1%) cases with a significant association to less
severity (OR 3.51; 95%CI 1.9 to 6.3). Only 2% (15) of the scorpions were available for identification.
Conclusion: The incidence of severe scorpionism to the TPIC was low. Care should be taken when children are
involved and when calls are received more than six hours after the sting. TPIC consultants as well as healthcare
professionals working in semi-arid regions should be aware of these high risk populations.
the incidence and severity of scorpion envenomation. The aim of this study was to analyse South African epidemiological
data of scorpion stings and envenomation as reported to the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre
(TPIC).
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of scorpion-related telephonic consultations to the TPIC over a
ten year period (1 January 2005 to 31 December 2014). Data were entered onto a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet
and descriptive statistics are presented for all variables. Associations with severity of envenomation are presented
as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).
Results: During the study period 52,163 consultations were processed by the TPIC of which 740 (1.4%) cases
involved scorpion stings. Of these, 146 (19.7%) cases were deemed serious envenomations. Antivenom was
recommended to be administered in 131 (90%) of these cases. Healthcare professionals made most calls (63%),
but were less likely to phone for non-serious cases (OR 0.16; 95%CI 0.09 to 0.29). The Western Cape Province
had the highest incidence of calls (6.9 scorpion-related calls/100 000 people). Adults (> 20 years) were victims
in 71.4% of cases, and were more likely to experience less serious stings (OR 0.57; 95%CI 0.37 to 0.86). The TPIC
was consulted within six hours of the sting occurring in 356 (48.1%) cases with a significant association to less
severity (OR 3.51; 95%CI 1.9 to 6.3). Only 2% (15) of the scorpions were available for identification.
Conclusion: The incidence of severe scorpionism to the TPIC was low. Care should be taken when children are
involved and when calls are received more than six hours after the sting. TPIC consultants as well as healthcare
professionals working in semi-arid regions should be aware of these high risk populations.
Creator
Carine J. Marks, Gert J. Muller, Dmitrij Sachno, Helmuth Reuter, Cherylynn A. Wium, Catharina E. Du Plessis, Daniel J. Van Hoving
Source
www.elsevier.com/locate/afjem
Publisher
AFEM
Date
19 December 2018
Contributor
PERI IRAWAN
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Citation
Carine J. Marks, Gert J. Muller, Dmitrij Sachno, Helmuth Reuter, Cherylynn A. Wium, Catharina E. Du Plessis, Daniel J. Van Hoving, “Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 1 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
The epidemiology and severity of scorpion envenoming in South Africa as managed by the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre over a 10 year period,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2380.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
The epidemiology and severity of scorpion envenoming in South Africa as managed by the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre over a 10 year period,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2380.