Investigation of Scorpion Stings in Nineveh Province, Northern Iraq, for the Period 2022-2023

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1, 28 - 32

Azhar Al-khazalı , Mohammed Al-jubouri

https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1587687

Öz

Scorpion stings are a challenging health problem in many hot and dry regions worldwide, including Iraq. Although studies on the epidemiology of scorpions in Iraq are rare, the northern areas, especially Nineveh province, have not witnessed comprehensive epidemiological studies related to these poisonous arachnids. This research is the first study in this region, providing detailed information on scorpion stings in Nineveh province during 2022 and 2023. The current study included 327 cases of scorpion stings recorded during 2022 and 2023 in Nineveh province, northern Iraq. Of the recorded cases, 185 (57.56%) were males and 142 (43.42%) were females. The data showed that the age group most exposed to scorpion stings is people aged between 15-49 years, as this group represented 70.34% of the total recorded cases, indicating that the socially and economically active group is most exposed to the risks associated with scorpions. It was also determined that the highest number of scorpion stings occurred in the summer months, highlighting the relationship between high temperatures and increased scorpion activity. These results indicate the need to take preventive and advisory measures directed at the most vulnerable groups, especially during the hot months.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Epidemiological, Scorpionism, stings, Mosul, venom.

Etik Beyan

Ethics committee approval is not required for this study.

Destekleyen Kurum

There is no funding for this work, all efforts are for the authors only.

Proje Numarası

This manuscript is part of a master's thesis project by the first author and supervised by the second author.

2022-2023 Döneminde Kuzey Irak Ninova İli'ndeki Akrep Sokmalarının Araştırılması

Öz

Akrep sokmaları, Irak da dahil olmak üzere dünya çapında birçok sıcak ve kuru bölgede önemli bir sağlık sorunudur. Irak'taki akreplerin epidemiyolojisi üzerine yapılan çalışmalar nadir olmasına rağmen, özellikle kuzey bölgeleri ve özellikle de Ninova vilayeti, bu zehirli araknitler ile ilgili kapsamlı epidemiyolojik çalışmalar yapılmamıştır. Bu araştırma, bu bölgede yapılan ilk çalışma olup, 2022 ve 2023 yıllarında Ninova vilayetinde meydana gelen akrep sokmaları hakkında ayrıntılı bilgiler sunmaktadır. Mevcut çalışma, 2022 ve 2023 yıllarında Irak'ın kuzeyindeki Ninova vilayetinde kaydedilen 327 akrep sokması vakasını içermektedir. Kayıtlı vakaların 185'i (%57.56) erkek, 142'si (%43.42) ise kadındır. Veriler, akrep sokmalarına en çok maruz kalan yaş grubunun 15-49 yaş aralığında olduğunu ve bu grubun toplam kayıtlı vakaların %70.34'ünü oluşturduğunu göstermektedir. Bu durum, sosyal ve ekonomik olarak aktif grubun akreplerle ilişkili risklere en çok maruz kalan kesim olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca, en fazla akrep sokması vakasının yaz aylarında meydana geldiği belirlenmiş olup, yüksek sıcaklıklar ile akrep aktivitesi arasındaki ilişkiyi ortaya koymaktadır. Bu sonuçlar, özellikle sıcak aylarda en savunmasız gruplara yönelik önleyici ve bilgilendirici tedbirlerin alınması gerektiğini göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Epidemiyoloji, akrep sokmaları, Musul, zehir

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma için etik kurul onayı gerekmemektedir.

Proje Numarası

This manuscript is part of a master's thesis project by the first author and supervised by the second author.

Kaynakça

• Ali, N., & Ali, O. M. (2015). Scorpion sting in different regions of Sudan: Epidemiological and clinical survey among university students. International Journal of Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, 1(2), 147-152.
• Celis, A., Gaxiola-Robles, R., Sevilla-Godínez, E., de Orozco Valerio, M.J., & Armas, J. (2007). Tendencia de la mortalidad por picaduras de alacrán en México, 1979–2003. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 6, 373–380.
• Chippaux, J.P. (2012). Emerging options for the management of scorpion stings. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 6, 165–173. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S24754
• Chippaux, J.P., & Goyffon, M. (2008). Epidemiology of scorpionism: A global appraisal. Acta Tropica, 107(2), 71–79.
• Dehghani, R., & Fathi, B. (2012). Scorpion sting in Iran: A review. Toxicon, 60, 919-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.06.002
• Ebrahimi, V., Hamdami, E., Moemenbellah-Fard, M. D. & Jahromi, S. E. (2017). Predictive determinants of scorpion stings in a tropical zone of south Iran: Use of mixed seasonal autoregressive moving average model. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, 23(39). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40409-017-0129-4
• Furtado, S. da S., Belmino, J.F.B., Diniz, A.G.Q., & Leite, R. de S. (2016). Epidemiology of scorpion envenomation in the state of Ceará, Northeastern Brazil. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, 58, 15. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-9946201658015
• Hussen, F.S.H. & Ahmed, S.T (2021). Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Scorpion Stings in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 30(1), 629-634. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/122840 James, W.D. & Berger, T.G. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical dermatology (p. 455). Saunders Elsevier.
• Jarrar, B., & Al-Rowaily, M. (2008). Epidemiological aspects of scorpion stings in Al-Jouf Province, Saudi Arabia. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 28, 183–187. https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2008.183
• Kachel, H.S. (2020). Scorpion Fauna and Scorpionism in Zakho Province of Northern Iraq. Commagene Journal of Biology, 4(1), 22-27. https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.710923
• Kachel, H.S., Al-Khazali, A.M., Hussen, F.S., & Yağmur, E.A. (2021). Checklist and review of the scorpion fauna of Iraq (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Arachnologische Mitteilungen/Arachnology Letters, 61, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.30963/aramit6101
• Karami, K., Vazirianzadeh, B., Mashhadi, E., Hossienzadeh, M., & Moravvej, S. A. (2013). A five-year epidemiologic study on scorpion stings in Ramhormoz, South-West of Iran. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 45(2), 469–474.
• Leeming, J. (2003). Scorpions of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. 96p.
• Ozkan, O., Adigüzel, S., Yakiştiran, S., Cesaretli, Y. Orman, M., & Karaer, K. (2006). Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier 1807) scorpionism in the Şanlıurfa provinces of Turkey. Türki Acta Parasitologica Turcica, 30, 239– 245.
• Rein, J. O., & West, K. M. (2024). The Scorpion Files: Scorpions of medical importance. Retrieved from https://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/medical.php