Scorpions and Scorpionism in Roudan County, Southern Iran

BACKGROUND: Every year, thousands of cases and many deaths from scorpion sting are reported in tropical areas of South and Southwestern parts of Iran. The aim of this study was to identify the fauna and dangerous species of scorpions in Roudan County, southern Iran. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted in 10 stations in Hormozgan Province. Scorpion sampling was done randomly by searching for their shelter and digging out their nests during day, and with the use of UV light during night from February 2013 to October 2014. Data of scorpion stings were obtained from health center of Hormozgan Province during 2014–2016. RESULTS: Overall, 155 scorpions were collected on a set of eight species belonging to Buthidae and Hemiscorpiidae families. These species were identified as Mesobuthus persicus, Mesobuthus phillipsi, Hottentotta schach, Odontobuthus doriae, Compsobuthus persicus, Orthochirus farzanpayi, Androctonus crassicauda and Hemiscorpius acanthocercus. One thousand and twenty-seven cases of scorpion sting were recorded during 2014–2016 with a peak period in summer. Most of cases were <44yr old. Five out of six medically important scorpions in Iran were actively identified in the study area. CONCLUSION: Results of this study would greatly help to identify risk factors of scorpion sting in high-risk areas for planning, management and treatment of patients with scorpion sting in these areas.