Commentary on Scorpion Antivenom Immunotherapy in Algeria

Kerboua, Kheireddine; Soualhi, Islem; Djilani, Salma; Delma, El Kilani; Sadine, Salah Eddine; Athman, Mohammed Amine; Ghezal, Mohammed; Bechouni, Tamadhor; Guedda, Hicham; Echikh, Mohammed; Abidi, Lakhdar; Djennouhat, Kamal

Algerian Journal of Health Sciences
Volume 2, Numéro 2, Pages 71-89
2020-09-02

Commentary On Scorpion Antivenom Immunotherapy In Algeria

Auteurs : Kerboua Kheireddine . Soualhi Islem . Djilani Salma . Delma El Kilani . Sadine Salah Eddine . Athman Mohammed Amine . Ghezal Mohammed . Bechouni Tamadhor . Guedda Hicham . Echikh Mohammed . Abidi Lakhdar . Djennouhat Kamal .

Résumé

Following the death of the researcher Aicha Aouisset by scorpion envenomation (SE/CIM-10 T63.2) in Ouargla and the societal disturbances that this event caused in this strategic area, the Directorate General of Scientific Researchand Technological Development (DGRSDT) ordered a scientific investigation into the phenomenon of scorpionism in Algeria. We conducted an operational study in Ouargla during the period April 2019-October 2020. The Comparative Corrective Analysis was used to detect the critical points in our national strategy of antiscorpionic control compared to the countries having reduced drastically mortality from SE. We performed technical analyzes of the official documentation as well as biological analyzes of the blood samples from stung patients (SP) and the antiscorpionic immunotherapy Ipascorp©. The study of the 600 SPadmitted at the EPH-Ouargla showed that the frequency of the systemic envenomation syndrome was only present in 3.5% of SP. The main etiology associated with the severity of the SE was cardiac injury (80%)followed by acute pulmonary edema (20%). No immediate allergic reaction to Ipascorp© has been reported and only 0.5% delayed hypersensitivity has been noted. This work was able to design some tools such as "Decision Support Matrix" which is important to conceive the primary and secondary prevention strategies and "the Scorpion Table" that is essential for calculating the dosage of Ipascorp©. The introduction of the "effective neutralization dose" of Immunotherapy in the SE management as well as the therapeutic intervention guided by the two biomarkers "blood glycemia and lymphocyte levels" have helped to improve the survival rate from 66.66% to 80% withinSE-stage 3 patients.These data are not only essential for decision-makers and Saharan doctors but also for pharmacological and experimental research.