Antivenom for Severe Scorpion Envenomation in Arizona

This correspondence reports the emergency department use of F(ab')₂ antivenom for scorpion envenomation in Arizona over a 5-year period (2017–2021). The authors describe 252 patients treated across 15 counties, most of whom were children under 10. Despite some patients lacking the minimum toxicity scores required by poison control recommendations, physicians administered antivenom based on clinical judgment. In all treated cases, symptoms resolved within four hours, with no hypersensitivity reactions reported. The letter builds on previous studies supporting the efficacy and safety of the equine-derived antibody preparation, highlighting its role in treating neurotoxic symptoms from Centruroides sculpturatus stings.

This correspondence reports the emergency department use of F(ab')₂ antivenom for scorpion envenomation in Arizona over a 5-year period (2017–2021). The authors describe 252 patients treated across 15 counties, most of whom were children under 10. Despite some patients lacking the minimum toxicity scores required by poison control recommendations, physicians administered antivenom based on clinical judgment. In all treated cases, symptoms resolved within four hours, with no hypersensitivity reactions reported. The letter builds on previous studies supporting the efficacy and safety of the equine-derived antibody preparation, highlighting its role in treating neurotoxic symptoms from Centruroides sculpturatus stings.