The histological changes in the liver, lung and kidney after scorpion poisoning (Buthus quinquestriatus)

The effect of sublethal doses of Buthus quinquestriatus on the hepatic vascular bed and hepatic parenchyma were studied. The main effect of the venom was primarily on the vascular bed of the liver as manifested by dilatation of branches of the hepatic artery, portal vein together with intravascular thrombi and subcapsular haemorrhages. Apart from mild hydropic degeneration some cells of the hepatic parenchyma showed focal necrosis and Kupffer cells were frequently hypertrophied and contained pigment. In the lung, dilated thrombosed vessels were observed. In the kidney, the vessels showed the smae changes. The epithelial and endothelial cells of the glomeruli appeared normal except for slight swelling with intact basement membrane. The tubular cells were swollen with increased granularity and attenuation of their tubular lumen, a picture compatible with hydropic degeneration. The possible mechanisms in inducing such lesions were discussed.