Another Tityus of medical importance

It is well known that several species in the South American genus Tityus can cause serious morbidity and even death, especially in children. Apart for a few well known perpetrators like Tityus serrulatus, there is not too much information about other species in the genus that can cause morbidity.

Cleide Maria Ribeiro de Albuquerque and co-workers have now published two case reports of mild and moderate symptoms after a Tityus pusillus Posock,1893 sting in Brazil. Even though the systemic symptoms were moderate, this species should be treated as potential medical significant (especially for young children).

This paper is written in Portuguese so my comments are based on the english abstract.

Abstract:
This paper presents the first reports on scorpion accidents caused by Tityus pusillus (Buthidae). The accidents took place within the home environment, in rural areas located in the municipalities of Paudalho and São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco, Brazil. The two cases described (a child and a pregnant woman) were classified as mild and moderate, respectively. The clinical symptoms presented were local disorders (pain and paresthesia) and systemic disorders (chills, dizziness, headache and vomiting). These records make it possible to including Tityus pusillus as a species of medical importance in Brazil.

Reference:
de Albuquerque CM, Porto TJ, Amorim ML, Santana Neto Pde L. Scorpionism caused by Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones; Buthidae) in State of Pernambuco. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2009 Mar-Apr;42 (2):206-8. [Free fulltext]

Family Buthidae