A pseudoscorpion clinging to a cave salamander: phoresy or failed predation?

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  A pseudoscorpion clinging to a cave salamander: phoresy or failed predation? Abstract Pseudoscorpions are well known for phoretic associations with arthropods, but interactions with amphibians are rarely documented. Here we report a pseudoscorpion attached to the left palpebral region of an adult male Italian cave salamander, Speleomantes italicus , observed during a visual survey in a karst cave in Tuscany, Italy. The pseudoscorpion, assigned on the basis of visible morphology and locality to Chthonius cf. elongatus , was grasping a minute cutaneous fold on the lower margin of the left upper eyelid with one chela while the salamander moved slowly over the rock surface. No handling was performed and the initial contact between the two animals was not observed. The event therefore cannot be interpreted unambiguously, but may represent opportunistic phoresy or defensive attachment following a failed predation attempt. To our knowledge, this is the first published observation of a ...

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Secondary to Scorpion Envenomation in a 7-Year-Old Boy from Southwestern Iran

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Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Secondary to Scorpion Envenomation in a 7-Year-Old Boy from Southwestern Iran

Abstract

Hemiscorpius lepturus is a deadly scorpion species found in the tropical regions of the Middle East. Its venom consists of a complex mixture of peptides and enzymes, including the protease toxin hemiscorpius crolysin, the analgesic peptide, and the cytotoxic agent which attacks vascular low-body weight patients, and especially young patients, are prone to systemic complications such as nephrotoxicity, hemolysis, hepatotoxicity, and even death.

In this case report, we present a 7-year-old boy from city of Ahwaz in southwestern Iran, who was bitten by Gadeem (H. lepturus) and developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. After being stung, the patient developed hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and uremia in the subsequent days. The patient received supportive treatment, hemodialysis, and plasma exchange, and was discharged after 30 days of hospitalization.

Mortazavi N, Hooman N, Mehrazma M, Moradi Y, Aghavali P. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Secondary to Scorpion Envenomation in a 7-Year-Old Boy from Southwestern Iran. Iran J Pathol. 2024 Fall;19(4):467–71. doi: 10.30699/ijp.2024.2024403.3272. Epub 2024 Oct 2. PMCID: PMC11872030.