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Scorpion sting in Iran: a review
Rouhullah Dehghani1, Behrooz Fathi
1Department of Environment Health, Kashan University of Medical sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran. dehghani37@yahoo.com
Summary
Iran has the highest number of scorpion species in the Middle East, leading to over 42,500 annual scorpion stings and 19.5 deaths. This study details medically significant Iranian scorpions and their distribution.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Iran reports at least 52 scorpion species, more than any other Middle Eastern country.
- Scorpion stings in Iran averaged over 42,500 annually between 2001-2009, with approximately 19.5 deaths per year.
- Most fatalities occur in spring and summer, primarily caused by species from the Buthidae family and Hemiscorpius lepturus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the main scorpion species in Iran.
- To map the geographical distribution of medically important and dangerous scorpion species.
- To provide an accurate estimate of the scale of scorpion stings in Iran.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on scorpion species in Iran.
- Analysis of reported scorpion sting data from 2001-2009.
- Identification of venomous species and their primary habitats.
Main Results:
- Over 52 scorpion species identified in Iran, with a significant number being medically important.
- Androctonus crassicauda and Hemiscorpius lepturus are identified as the most dangerous species.
- The study highlights the significant public health burden of scorpion stings in Iran.
Conclusions:
- Iran possesses a high diversity of medically significant scorpions, posing a considerable public health risk.
- Understanding the distribution of dangerous species is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.
- Further research into scorpion envenomation patterns and management in Iran is warranted.
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