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Objective: The preparation of the scorpion antivenom is a process that must be meticulously performed, such as obtaining specific antibodies from the serum of the injected animal after a suitable period of time after the relevant venom has been administered to a suitable animal, mostly horses. Many physiological and pathological symptoms occur in the treated animal, depending on the quality, quantity and application of the venom injected. Androctonus crassicauda venom is used in the production of national scorpion antivenom. A. crassicauda is a common species in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia (Elazığ, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Adana, Hatay, Malatya, Mersin) and Leiurus abdullahbayrami is a common species in Southeastern Anatolia (Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Mardin). The aim of this study is that the national scorpion antivenom obtained with A. crassicauda venom; to evaluate its effectiveness against L. abdullahbayrami. Methods: National scorpion antivenom obtained from horses immunized with A. crassicauda venom was used in the study. The venoms of A. crassicauda and L. abdullahbayrami scorpions was obtained by electrical stimulation. The venoms of both species were prepared at 1 mg/ml. Lethal dose 50 (LD50) values were determined in mice for venoms of both species. Two-fold dilutions of A. crassicauda scorpion antivenom were prepared and the neutralization unit (NU) was determined by calculating the effective dose 50 (ED50) values in mice against A. crassicauda and L. abdullahbayrami venoms. Potency value of A. crassicauda antivenom and crossprotection of antivenom against L. abdullahbayrami venom were calculated by neutralization test. Results: The LD50 of A. crassicauda venom was 5.761 µg/mouse and the LD50 of L. abdullahbayrami venom was 5.265 µg/mouse. ED50 was found 0.1767 in A. crassicauda and 0.25 in L. abdullahbayrami. Potency values against A. crassicauda antivenom were obtained as 90.5488 NU/ml and 64 NU/ml for A. crassicauda and L. abdullahbayrami, respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that A. crassicauda antivenom can also be used safely in L. abdullahbayrami scorpion stings and our study is the first study showing that A. crassicauda antivenom can be used in the treatment of L. abdullahbayrami scorpion stings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpions are arthropods covered with a thick layer of chitin, whose adult individuals have a length between 11.5 and 220 mm. Since they cause situations of poisoning and due to their predatory nature, humans usually fear them. In scorpion envenomation, it is necessary to apply anti-venom especially for patients with severe symptoms. Turkey is a suitable country for scorpion life in terms of climate. Today, it is reported in the world that there are 2512 species of scorpions in terms of 21 families and 195 genera. In addition, when the recent increase is taken into account, it is reported that the number of Scorpion species in Turkey has reached 50 and will continue to increase. Although the most venomous scorpion species known in Turkey is Leirus abdullahbayrami, scorpion anti-venom is obtained from Androctonus crassicauda. The studies show that the antivenom from A. crassicauda in Turkey which had been produced in a continuous manner since 1942 gave better results than other anti-venoms. A. crassicauda, which is shown as one of the five most poisonous scorpions in the world, is about 90 to 100 mm in length, has dark brown or black color, and has claws which are very chunky and a very curved tail. It is one of the most important species regarding medical terms in Turkey. A. crassicauda is mainly found in the regions of Southeastern Anatolia and in the areas of the cities of Iğdır and Kars which have low altitude levels, located in Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. It is stated that the responsible scorpion is the A. crassicauda with respect to the majority of patients who are admitted to the hospital with complaints of scorpion stings especially in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Scorpion sting events, occurring mostly during the summer period still continues to be a major problem both in Turkey and the world's other countries. The scorpion anti-venom produced from A. crassicauda has taken its place as a national monograph of the Turkish Pharmacopoeia, which was prepared for the first time after many years. This review aims to provide detailed information on the history of anti-venom preparations in Turkey, starting from the foundation of the Turkish Republic up until the present day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scorpion sting is a serious and life-threating emergency emergent condition and is generally fatal in childhood. Heart, respiratory and nervous system complications may occur due to the effect of scorpion venom. The precise indications and using scorpion antivenin and other drugs in the treatment is still controversial. In this study, etiological factors and treatments are discussed in a four year old boy that died due to a scorpion sting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]