The data available for the efficacy of AScVS and prazosin is generated through different trials done in different clinical setting. Hence it was felt worthwhile to confirm the documented efficacy of AScVS and prazosin in terms of time taken for clinical recovery in a clinical trial. Along with this, effects of both the therapies on various biochemical parameters will be recorded and compared with. It was also felt necessary to study the effect of combination on the clinical outcome.

Red Scorpion (Mesobuthus Tamulus Concanesis Pocock) sting is a common medical emergency in the coastal regions of India and is a cause for considerable morbidity and mortality.

Signs and symptoms show either cholinergic or adrenergic predominance. Cholinergic symptoms are profuse sweating, priapism, bradycardia, increased salivary and bronchial secretions and vomiting. Adrenergic symptoms are transient hypertension followed by hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnoea, pulmonary edema and circulatory failure in later stages. Scorpion venom blocks voltage dependent inactivation of sodium channels, resulting in intense persistent voltage depolarization of autonomic nerves with massive release of catecholamines from adrenal medulla and parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve endings.

Prazosin a selective alpha-1 blocker is used as the treatment for scorpion sting, which can only counteract the manifestations of sympathetic over-activity. Experimentally and clinically it is seen that scorpion venom stays in the body for 24-36 hours, as Prazosin does not neutralize the venom, 3 hourly round the clock doses of prazosin and continuous I.C.U. monitoring is necessary with alpha blocker therapy. However, ideal treatment modality remains neutralization of venom in the systemic circulation.

Since 1997 enzyme refined AScVS ( Monovalent Anti-scorpion venom serum against Mesobuthus tamulus concanesis Pocock.) has been made available by Haffkine Biopharmaceuticals, Mumbai for field use. Throughout the konkan(western coastal Maharashtra, India) area the same species of scorpions responsible for fatal envenomation is found.

From 1997-2002, 48 patients of serious scorpion envenomation were treated with AScVS(1). Based on this experience a clinical scoring system for dose requirement was evolved based on sweating, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, CNS effects and presence of priapism. In our experience computed doses given as intravenous bolus are more effective and successfully ameliorated signs and symptoms in all patients. Subsequently 16 patients were given treatment with either AScVS (n=8), Prazosin (n=5) and a combination of both (n=3) so as to compare the effects of these available treatment modalities. It was found that the patients receiving either AScVs or a combination showed a complete recovery approximately within 4 hours of onset of therapy as against patients receiving Prazosin, who required 16 hours for recovery. There was no mortality in any of the group. There was not a single incidence of anaphylaxis after administration of AScVS. Release of adrenaline in the systemic circulation by scorpion sting itself appears to be protective against the danger of anaphylaxis. The label on the AScVS vials states that the maximum dose is 3 vials, which can be given either intramuscular or by intravenous route. However we used AScVS as slow bolus intravenously and dose was decided clinically depending upon the severity of the patient condition. (maximum 10-15vials.) Based on this experience, an open labeled, randomized controlled parallel group clinical trial has been initiated. Eighty-three patients have been recruited so far, 28 patients each, in AScVS and AScVS + prazosin group and 27 patients in Prazosin group, two patients out of 27 in Prazosin group were withdrawn as both the pediatric patients (around 12 years old) developed pulmonary edema after few hours, so AScVS had to be given. The onset of relief (based on composite score) with AScVS or combination of AScVS with prazosin was early and complete recovery occurred at 4.14+/- 1.6 hrs. and 3.46+/- 1.10hours. However, in patients receiving only prazosin, the clinical score was found to worsen initially, followed by a gradual improvement and subsequent complete recovery, at 19.28 +/- 5.03 hrs. (p<0.001 vs AScVS). Recovery time with AScVS is much shorter because after complete neutralization of venom, fresh secretion of catecholamines stop and adrenaline and nor-adrenaline which are already in circulation have action as short as 1 to 2 minutes. These findings appear consistent with our clinical experience and indicate that in the near future AScVS would evolve as a safe, efficacious and life saving treatment modality for patients with severe scorpion envenomation. Use of clinical scoring system can enable the clinician to select the optimum dose of AScVS to be administered.

Neutralization of venom is thus proved to be better than therapy for complications, akin to the dictum 'prevention is better than cure'.

References:

1. Natu VS, Murthy RKK, Deodhar KP. Efficacy of species specific Antiscorpion venom serum (AScVS) against severe, serious scorpion stings (mesobuthus tamulus concanesis pocock.)-An experience from rural hospital in western Maharashtra. JAPI, 2006; 54: 283-7.

Inclusion Criteria: (All of the following)

1. Patients of both sexes, in the age range of 12-65 years
2. reporting to the PHC/ hospital within 48 hours of scorpion sting and
3. associated with s/s of scorpion envenomation having composite score between 5 and 21 (as computed based on the criteria below:)

Criteria Grade Symptoms

Sweating 0 Limited to the extremity of the sting site.

1. Minimal sweating all over the body, slight nasal secretions
2. Generalized sweating with rigors and cold extremities.
3. Gen.profuse sweating,wetting of clothes and cold clammy skin.

Pulse rate 0 70- 90

1. 91 - 100
2. 101 - 120 or < 70
3. 121 - 140 or < 60 or irreg pulse
4. 141 - 160
5. > 160

Respiratory rate 0 < 20

1. 20 - 30
2. 31 - 40 without crepitations
3. 31 - 40 with crepitations
4. > 40 with crepitations
5. > 40 with crepitations and cyanosis

Blood pressure 0 120/80

1. Systolic: 121 -140 and diastolic: 81 -90
2. Systolic: 141 -160 and diastolic: 91-100
3. Syst: 161 -180 and diast: 101-110 Or syst <100
4. Syst: 181 -200 and diast: 111-120 Or syst <100
5. Syst: > 200 and diast: >120 Or syst < 60

CNS effects 0 No sensory involvement

1. Minimal tingling numbness around mouth
2. Tingling, numbness around mouth and giddiness
3. Altered sensorium, patient roudy
4. Patient semiconscious
5. Patient unconscious

Priapism 2 Slight erection 3 Strong erection

To obtain a composite score, grades for individual criterion will be added. Maximum score: 25 and minimum score: 0

Exclusion Criteria: (Any of the following)

1. Composite score less than 5 and greater than 21.
2. Grade of 5 in any of the criterion
3. Severe Pulmonary edema with oxygen saturation below 80%.
4. Severe scorpion envenomation with reporting time more than 2 days
5. Any other serious medical disease which/treatment of which may confound the results e.g. cardiac diseases, diabetes, renal diseases etc.
6. Severe anaphylactic reaction to any of the study drugs
7. Patient (or relative in case of child) not willing to participate