Histopathological changes in some parenchymatous organs of the rat due to scorpion envenoming and the role of the antivenin in abolishing these changes

Abstract EN

The value of antivenin in case of scorpion stings differs among different scientists.

The present work aimed to study the histopathological changes in the parenchymatous organs following experimental scorpion envenoming and to investigate the role of scorpion antivenin in abolishing or reversing these changes.

Forty five male albino rats were divided into nine groups: Group 1 was control; Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were subcutaneously injected with the LD50 (0.35mg / kg) of Leiurus quinquestriatus venom then sacrificed after 1, 3, 7 and 10 days from injection respectively.

Groups 6, 7, 8 and 9 were subcutaneously injected with the LD50 followed by intravenous injection of scorpion antivenom after 30 min.

from envenoming, then sacrificed after 1, 3, 7 and 10 days from administration respectively.

Kidney, liver, lung and heart tissues were prepared for histological studies in all examined groups.

The results revealed many histopathological changes in most examined organs of groups 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The renal corpuscles and renal tubules suffered from severe cellular degeneration.

The liver revealed manifestations of both degeneration and necrosis.

The lungs showed severe cellular infiltration in the interalveolar septa and congestion of the blood capillaries with extravasation of RBCs.

The cardiac muscle fibers were separated by wide spaces with congestion of the blood vessels.

All the previous changes were less marked in groups 6, 7, 8 and 9.

In conclusion: Scorpion antivenin was found to be effective in abolishing some of the various histopathological changes occurring in the parenchymatous organs following scorpion envenoming.