In Memoriam: Arthur (Art) Decae and His Contributions to Arachnology

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  Image Credit:  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arthur-Decae  In Memoriam: Arthur (Art) Decae and His Contributions to Arachnology The arachnological community has received the sad news of the passing of Arthur (Art) Decae of the Netherlands, a long-standing member of the International Society of Arachnology (ISA) and the European Society of Arachnology (ESA). Arthur was a respected authority on mygalomorph spiders, particularly those of Europe and the Mediterranean region. His research contributed significantly to the taxonomy, diversity, distribution, and natural history of these often poorly known spiders. In announcing his passing on behalf of the ISA, Jason Dunlop extended condolences to Arthur's family, friends, and colleagues. Marco Isaia, who remained in contact with Arthur during his final year, also shared a message that Arthur had specifically asked to be passed on to the arachnological community: “I would appreciate it if you tell our spider friends and ...

Stroke as a Rare Complication of Scorpion Stings: A Systematic Review and Analysis

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Stroke as a Rare Complication of Scorpion Stings: A Systematic Review and Analysis

Abstract


Approximately 1 million scorpion stings are recorded annually worldwide, resulting in 3,000 deaths. Scorpion venom has various effects on the human body, with neurological complications occurring in about 2% of cases. Among these complications, stroke—whether ischemic or hemorrhagic—is particularly significant. A systematic literature review was conducted through a bibliographic search using key terms in the PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Google Schoolar databases without date restrictions. Articles related to stroke due to scorpion stings in Spanish, English, and Portuguese were included. Our protocol was registered in PROSPERO. A total of 24 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. The primary neurological symptoms caused by scorpion stings include hemiplegia, hemiparesis, seizures, and limb weakness. Stroke should be suspected in the presence of these symptoms, as scorpion stings can lead to both hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes in both adults and pediatric populations. While stroke is a rare complication of scorpion stings, it is crucial to consider this diagnosis in patients presenting with neurological symptoms, necessitating the use of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging if stroke is suspected.

Vasconez-Gonzalez, J., Delgado-Moreira, K., Gamez-Rivera, E., Lopez-Molina, M. B., Davila, F. L., Izquierdo-Condoy, J. S., & Ortiz-Prado, E. (2024). Stroke as a Rare Complication of Scorpion Stings: A Systematic Review and Analysis. Toxicon: X, 100205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxcx.2024.100205