A profile of scorpionism, including the species of scorpions involved, in the State of Amazonas, Brazil

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Cícero Lucinaldo Soares de Oliveira Costa, Nelson Ferreira Fé, Iracilda Sampaio, Wanderli Pedro Tadei
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2016
• Subjects: State of Amazonas; Scorpions; Scorpionism; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0377-2015; https://doaj.org/article/c7e0fb1d3f63461290e4c81fd79fb055

Abstract: INTRODUCTION This study investigated scorpionism profile in the State of Amazonas, Brazil. METHODS: Data referring to stinging incidents were obtained from the National Databank of Major Causes of Morbidity. Information on the scorpion species involved was obtained from the Amazonas State health units. RESULTS: Amazonas has a scorpionism rate of 8.14 cases/100,000 inhabitants. Some municipalities (e.g., Apuí) presented higher rates (273 cases/100,000 inhabitants). Most species involved in envenomation belonged to the genus Tityus. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reaffirm the notion of scorpionism being a public health hazard and provide data that can guide public policy aimed at scorpionism prevention and treatment.