Venom Mass Fingerprints for Species Delimitation, Reloaded: A Test Case with Italian Scorpions (Euscorpius)

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  Venom Mass Fingerprints for Species Delimitation, Reloaded: A Test Case with Italian Scorpions (Euscorpius) Abstract Scorpion venoms are complex mixtures of bioactive compounds including proteins, peptides and enzymes. Although venoms exhibit substantial intraspecific variation, some compounds appear to be species-specific, highlighting their potential as chemotaxonomic markers. Venom mass fingerprints (MFPs) derived from Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry (MS) have been proposed as a means of delimiting species. However, their utility for species delimitation has rarely been evaluated against independent sources of taxonomic evidence. In the present study, the performance of MALDI-TOF MS-based venom peptide barcoding (mass ranges of m/z 800‒4500 and m/z 3000‒10,000) was assessed in 52 populations of eight Italian species of the scorpion genus Euscorpius Thorell, 1876, representing different levels of evolutionary divergenc...

Epidemiology of scorpion sting and snakebite cases in Qatar 2018-2022: A primary care-based study

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 Epidemiology of scorpion sting and snakebite cases in Qatar 2018-2022: A primary care-based study

ABSTRACT

Background: Envenomation caused by snakebites and scorpion stings is a neglected disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. In Qatar, little information is available on the epidemiological aspects of snakebites and scorpion stings. This study describes the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of patients treated for scorpion stings or snakebites at Qatar’s Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).

Methods: A retrospective data analysis was applied to investigate the number of scorpion stings and snakebites reported at the PHCC health centers between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. The data were electronically extracted from the medical records of the registered population at PHCC.

Results: 581 scorpion stings and 21 cases of snakebites were reported between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. The highest number of scorpion stings reported in 2020 was 141 cases. The distribution of scorpion stings was higher among males than females, with rates of 86% and 14%, respectively, and the highest number of cases occurred in the age group of 19–39 years. Among the total cases, Bangladeshi and Qatari were the most affected, with a rate of 41% and 14%, respectively. The western region had the highest incidence of scorpion stings, at 7.47 per 10,000 persons.

Conclusion: According to this research, the western region had the highest occurrence of scorpion stings cases, primarily among Bangladeshis and Qataris, particularly in the age group of 19–49 years. This study also found similar patterns in snakebite cases. Consequently, this study emphasizes the need for increased investment in antivenom and the training of healthcare professionals to address scorpion stings effectively.

Al-Kuwari, Mohamed & Bakri, Ahmad & Kandy, Mujeeb & Illiayaraja, Jeyaram & Abdulmajeed, Jazeel & Al-Abdulla, Yousef. (2023). Epidemiology of scorpion sting and snakebite cases in Qatar 2018-2022: A primary care-based study. Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care. 2023. 26. 10.5339/jemtac.2023.26.