Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes

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  Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes Abstract Despite the vast biodiversity of Mexican vipers, venom of endemic species has been barely studied. Here we analyzed the venom composition of three endemic species of rattlesnakes: Crotalus aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. ravus . We used quantitative chromato-mass-spectrometry and compared venoms with C. molossus , a species commonly found in North America, in a comparative and phylogenetic framework. In total, we identified 165 proteins grouped in 19 main protein families, consistent with previous reports for viperid venoms. In C. aquilus and C. triseriatus , the most predominant protein-family type was Serine Proteases, and in C. triseriatus and C. molossus it was Snake Venom Metalloproteases. The Label-free quantification revealed a high proportion of Snake Venom Metalloproteases in C. aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. molossus , reaching 28–47% of the total venom. In contrast, in ...

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting in Western Lowlands of Eritrea: A Prospective Study

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Clinical Features and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting in Western Lowlands of Eritrea: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background

Scorpion envenomation is a global health problem that results in life-threatening medical emergencies in the tropical and subtropical regions. Pediatric victims are at a higher risk of severe envenomation than are adults.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the clinical features and outcomes of patient’s hospitalized for scorpion stings at Tesseney Community Hospital.

Material and Methods

A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st June 2019 to 31st May 2020 in patients hospitalized due to scorpion stings at the Tesseney Community Hospital.

Results

About 165 scorpion-sting patients were admitted during the study period. The majority of cases were older than 15 years (61.8%) with an approximately equal male-to-female sex ratio (0.94:1), and the scorpion sting cases largely occurred in urban areas (57%) compared to rural areas. The black scorpion (38.8%) was the predominant scorpion; however, in some cases, the scorpion color was undetermined (31.5%). The foot was the predominant sting site (64.8%), followed by the hand (31.5%). Single stings (91.5%) were more frequent than multiple stings (8.5%). The majority (94.8%) of scorpion sting cases occurred during summer, with the highest scorpion sting cases occurring in September and October. The main clinical manifestations upon presentation were localized pain (70.3%) and sweating (56.4%), with more severe symptoms exhibited among age groups less than 15 years. The fatality rate (4.8%) was largely associated with age groups less than 15 years and class three scorpion stings.

Conclusion

Our study found that children experienced more severe envenoming symptoms and related mortality than adults did. This study may be a tool to identify at-risk population groups and build measures to prevent scorpion stings within the western lowlands of Eritrea.


Frezgi, O., Berhane, A., Tewelde, A. G., Ghebrewelde, G., Tekie, H., Kiflezgi, T., … Wohabey, H. A. (2025). Clinical Features and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting in Western Lowlands of Eritrea: A Prospective Study. Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine, 16, 125–135. https://doi.org/10.2147/RRTM.S536683