ABSTRACT
This chapter encompasses the clinical toxicology of scorpion stings, using as a model the scorpions from the genus Centruroides of Mexico. It presents and discusses some of the general aspects of the venom, symptoms and signs of envenomation, prophylaxis and clinical management, based on the author's own experience, especially in the treatment of persons stung by scorpions. The peripheral nervous system is the main target of scorpion neurotoxins. More recently, several synthetic peptides were prepared with amino acid sequences corresponding to the primary structure of whole toxins and/or segments of the primary structure of toxins of the scorpion Centruroides noxius for immunization purposes. Atropine, neostigmine and steroids have been used in the past for treatment of scorpion envenomation, but they have not been proved to be of important clinical value in Centruroides and Tityus cases. Application of drugs such as barbiturates or narcotics might increase central respiratory depression in scorpion envenomation.
