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mike
What box?
Joined: 30 Dec 2002
Posts: 3134
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 Posted: 4/27/2004, 3:46 pm Post subject: New scorpion antivenin to be tested here |
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"For decades, Arizona has been relying on antivenin made by Marilyn Bloom, an Arizona State University immunology specialist. She injected goats with scorpion venom to create an immune response and then drew blood with antibodies that could be purified and given to human scorpion-sting victims."... 
| Azcentral.com wrote: |
New scorpion antivenin to be tested here
Kerry Fehr-Snyder
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 26, 2004 08:10 PM
As scorpions launch their annual stinging season, researchers are fighting back by testinga new drug to treat children.
The scorpion antivenin, made by Silanes in Mexico, comes as the state's existing supply of scorpion antidote is running out.
"We're racing against the calendar," said Dr. Leslie Boyer, medical director for the Arizona Poison Drug Information Center at the University of Arizona. "We can anticipate a crisis." There are only about 100 doses of the existing antivenin left.
The supply is expected to last through this year's scorpion season. Although scorpions can sting all year long, they become more active in the spring and summer as nighttime temperatures rise.
For decades, Arizona has been relying on antivenin made by Marilyn Bloom, an Arizona State University immunology specialist. She injected goats with scorpion venom to create an immune response and then drew blood with antibodies that could be purified and given to human scorpion-sting victims.
The serum was never approved by the Food and Drug Administration because it is not sold across state lines. It is used to treat severe stings by the desert-dwelling bark scorpion.
The problem is that the antivenin can cause an allergic reaction, including hives, tightness in the throat and in some cases, changes in blood pressure. Several years ago, a small child in southern Arizona died after receiving the antivenin, Boyer said.
But there are risks to not treating children with antivenin, too. They include convulsing, hyper-salivating and choking.
Kathleen Waszolek, director of the Banner Poison Control Center in Phoenix, said she saw first-hand how debilitating a scorpion sting can be several years ago when her 14-year-old son, Evan, stepped on a scorpion in the family kitchen in the middle of the night.
He exhibited classic symptoms: burning pain, numbness and tingling sensations that traveled to other parts of his body.
But by the time Evan made it to his mother's bedroom, his eyes were flitting back and forth wildly and his body was twitching with muscle spasms.
"Even after having worked here for years and knowing what to expect, it was very, very scary," Waszolek said.
By the time Waszolek got her son to a hospital in north Scottsdale, Evan could no longer walk and had to be brought into the emergency department in a wheelchair. Evan was given one vial of antivenin. But when it failed to alleviate his symptoms, he received another.
Evan developed "serum sickness" from the antivenin. He developed itchy hives and acne-like skin on his face. He was given antihistimines and a steroid.
Still, Waszolek said, given the choice between the scorpion venom and serum sickness, Evan said later he would chose the serum sickness.
If the new antivenin lives up its promise, patients will not have to make such a choice. Boyer said one of the biggest goals of the study, initially planned for one year, is to create a "standard of care" in which all children who are stung by scorpions are treated with antivenin.
Ultimately, the study will be used to win approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration. If approved, the antivenin would represent the first drug developed in Mexico for use in the United States.
The new antivenin will be tested at hospitals in Mexico and Arizona, including Banner Good Samaritan Hospital, University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center. |
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CatValet
Got Gear?
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 735
Location: Scottsdale
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| Posted: 4/27/2004, 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I think I drank some of that once..... |
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Hikngrl
Canyoneering is my 'Happy Place'
Joined: 27 May 2003
Posts: 5578
Location: Peoria, AZ
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| Posted: 4/27/2004, 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Sure would explain a lot wouldn't it Randy! 
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~~~Diane~~~
I want to shine! |
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mike
What box?
Joined: 30 Dec 2002
Posts: 3134
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| Posted: 4/27/2004, 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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So, if you took too much of this, would you turn into a goat?
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evenstar
Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 5548
Location: SCW by way of CA
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| Posted: 4/27/2004, 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Mike wrote: |
| So, if you took too much of this, would you turn into a goat? |
Mike say, hopefully, wanna be as cool as Hooli! 
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John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902 |
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GTG
Was lost but now am found
Joined: 30 Dec 2002
Posts: 2387
Location: Peoria, Arizona, originally from Rocket City, USA
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| Posted: 4/28/2004, 7:24 am Post subject: volunteers and such |
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Any sting volunteers out there?
I was stung once by a scorpion in 1998. It was like a double dose of wasp sting.
GTG
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ck1
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 1331
Location: Mesa
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| Posted: 4/28/2004, 9:48 am Post subject: |
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How'd you treat it Todd?
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-Colin
"The Journey is the Destination" |
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GTG
Was lost but now am found
Joined: 30 Dec 2002
Posts: 2387
Location: Peoria, Arizona, originally from Rocket City, USA
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| Posted: 4/28/2004, 9:51 am Post subject: |
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| ck1 wrote: |
| How'd you treat it Todd? |
Sorry that was 1988. I killed the scorpion and went back to work for an hour. Things got a little too painful/tingly in the finger, so I went home and applied alcohol and recreational medications liberally. Everything was fine by the next morning.
GTG
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ck1
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 1331
Location: Mesa
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| Posted: 4/28/2004, 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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| GTG wrote: |
| ck1 wrote: |
| How'd you treat it Todd? |
Sorry that was 1988. I killed the scorpion and went back to work for an hour. Things got a little too painful/tingly in the finger, so I went home and applied alcohol and recreational medications liberally. Everything was fine by the next morning.
GTG |
Why'd I ask
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"The Journey is the Destination" |
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Leva
Joined: 01 Sep 2003
Posts: 40
Location: Hidden Valley (Maricopa area) AZ
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| Posted: 4/30/2004, 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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I've been stung a few times too -- I've never had that severe of a reaction. Hand tingled and hurt, funny taste in the mouth, and muscle cramps. I've just taken an antihistimine and ibuprofen and gone to bed. I suppose some people are more sensitive than others. I'd agree, though, with the assessment that it's like an industrial strength wasp sting.
One of my goats was stung on the nose, I saw it happen ("Ooh! Let's sniff the funny bug!") and the goat was in pretty sorry shape for about a day, though -- drooling and obviously not feeling well. The goat, uh, leaves scorpions alone now. But he was just a baby then, about forty pounds.
Leva |
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