Induced pathophysiological alterations by the venoms of the most dangerous Moroccan scorpions Androctonus mauretanicus and Buthus occitanus: A comparative pathophysiological and toxic-symptoms study

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation is a serious public health issue. Androctonus mauretanicus (Am) and Buthus occitanus (Bo) are the most dangerous scorpions in Morocco. Despite their medical relevance, no study has yet related their kinetics of symptom apparition and the consequent tissue disorders at the same interval post-injection. This work achieved the first comparative pathophysiological and toxic-symptoms study between the Am and Bo venoms from a biochemical, toxicological and physiopathological standpoint. The activity of venoms and their subletal dose were determined by administration of increasing concentrations of the venoms. 30, 60 and 120 min following the experimental envenomation in mice, the profile of clinical symptoms was underlined and the main organs: brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were removed for histological examination. The Am venom is a rich source of proteins and three-times more toxic than the Bo. The most observed clinical symptoms are neurological and cardiopulmonary. The Am venom caused histopathological alterations at 30, 60, and 120 min which were more important than the Bo. This study highlighted that both venoms exhibited a strong toxicity with variable intensities. Moreover, we showed the presence of correlation between the level of histopathological disorders observed and the intensity of signs appeared at the same time following venom inoculation.