An Observational Study of Snake Bites versus Scorpion Stings: Cases Admitted to Alexandria Poison Center

Background: A common poisoning in tropical and subtropical areas is snake and scorpion poisoning. A massive scorpion swarm on in southern Egypt left three dead and five hundred hospitalized after heavy storms on ۱۳ November ۲۰۲۱. The morbidity from scorpion sting and snake bite is a medical problem through all seasons of the year. This study was conducted to assess the clinicalepidemiological profile of snake bites and scorpion stings cases admitted to Alexandria poison center, Egypt. In addition, it compared snake bites and scorpion stings’ presentation, management, prognosis, and the effect of the polyvalent antivenom, locally produced by (VACSERA).Subjects and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Alexandria poison center (APC), Alexandria, Egypt. All cases admitted to the hospitals from ۱st March ۲۰۱۹ to ۲۹th February ۲۰۲۰ were included.Results: The study included ۱۳۰ cases of snake bites (۹۴) and scorpion stings (۳۶). ۵۱.۱% of patients with snake bites and ۴۴.۴% of patients with scorpion stings were in the age group <۳۰ years. There was seasonal variation of snake bites, and scorpion stings with a reported statistically significant difference (P= ۰.۰۰۸). There was a significant difference between the two study groups regarding the local manifestations. ۵۵.۳ % of the cases received supportive measurements and ۴۴.۷ % received the polyvalent antivenom. Recovery was the main outcome in ۹۵.۴% of patients. Conclusion: There was a significant difference between the two studied groups regarding the local manifestations. The antivenom was not given to all cases. Recovery was the main outcome in ۹۵.۴% of patients.

Keywords:

Scorpion , snake , poisoning , antivenom , Alexandria , Egypt