Diagnostic and epidemiologic Study of fat tail scorpion (Androctonus crassicuada) in Mid -Euphrates region / Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted in specific areas in the province of Babil ,Najaf and Al-Qadissiyia in Iraq during the period of March 2010 to November 2010 in search of scorpions on the presence of a thick tail scorpion (Androctonus crassicauda) in addition to studying of stinging of scorpions in same areas. The results showed that the propotions of fat tail scorpion presence in some areas of in Babil , Najaf and Al-Qadissiyia were 45.91% ,16.73% and 37.37% respectively. Based on months of year found that the highest prevalence of scorpions was significantly (P≤0.05) observed in July(33.07%), while the lowest(P≤0.05) in April (2.33%) with no observation of any scorpion in March and October, with marked prevalent of juvenile scorpion in July. The data obtained from questionnaire in infested area showed that the scorpionism with A. crassicuada was 76% ,the incidence rates in men ,women and children were 28.57% ,58.44% and 12.98% respectively. The affection rates of different parts of body were vary significantly ,the recorded ratios in upper limbs ,lower limbs ,body and head &neck were 53.24% ,35.06% ,10.38% and 1.29% respectively.