Diagnosis of Mesobuthus eupeus envenomation by skin test: Reverse passive Arthus reaction

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) 2014-01, Vol.77, p.133-140
• Main Authors: Khoobdel, M., NikbakhtBoroujeni, Gh, ZahraeiSalehi, T., Khosravi, M., Sasani, F., Bokaei, S., Koochakzadeh, A., Zamani-Ahmadmahmudi, M., Akbari, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Capillary Permeability - drug effects; Diagnosis; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Envenomation; Iran; Mice; Reverse passive Arthus; Scorpion; Scorpion Stings - diagnosis; Scorpion Stings - pathology; Scorpion Venoms - toxicity; Sensitivity and Specificity; Skin Tests - methods; Skin Tests - standards; Species Specificity; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0041-0101; 1879-3150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.11.004

While being stung by two large families of scorpions, Buthidae and Scorpionidae have different symptoms and complications, a similar maintenance treatment usually considers as the scorpion species could not be identified easily. Therefore, this study was an attempt to develop an immunologic response for designing a skin sensitivity test that can be used to determine the poisoning. The sensitivity and the specificity of RPA reaction for detecting experimental envenomated mice were evaluated. The inflammatory response for detection of envenomation was obtained by the injection of a solution containing complement, polyelectrolytes and purified monovalent antibodies. As the result, 84.44% sensitivity and 100% specificity recorded 15 min after challenge. Macroscopic findings were also confirmed histologically. No cross-reactions were observed with other species of scorpions and snake venoms. Designed Skin test induced obvious inflammatory reaction without any histological lesions. Besides adding the complement components and polyelectrolyte to the monovalent antibody leads to an increased susceptibility of inflammatory cells in this reaction, resulting in forming a visible inflammation in a short time. According to satisfactory specificity and sensitivity and visible results in about 15 min, non-harmful and cost benefity of reverse passive Arthus test can be used for diagnosis of scorpion envenomation. •84.44% sensitivity and 100% specificity recorded 15 min after skin testing.•No cross-reactions were observed with other species.•Designed skin test induced inflammatory reaction without histologically lesions.•This test could be used for diagnosis of envenomation.