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Scorpion sting stratification in Iran: A systematic review of epidemiological patterns, determinants, and climate change impacts.

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Τίτλος: Scorpion sting stratification in Iran: A systematic review of epidemiological patterns, determinants, and climate change impacts.
Συγγραφείς: Nasirian H; Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. hanasirian@yahoo.com.; Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. hanasirian@yahoo.com.
Πηγή: International journal of biometeorology [Int J Biometeorol] 2026 Jul 09; Vol. 70 (7). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jul 09.
Τύπος έκδοσης: Journal Article; Systematic Review; Meta-Analysis; Review
Γλώσσα: English
Στοιχεία περιοδικού: Publisher: Springer Verlag Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0374716 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1432-1254 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00207128 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Biometeorol Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: New York, NY : Springer Verlag
Original Publication: Leiden.
Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): Scorpion Stings*/epidemiology , Climate Change*, Iran/epidemiology ; Humans ; Animals ; Scorpions
Περίληψη: This systematic review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the epidemiology of scorpion sting stratification across Iran's geography, a critical public health concern in its arid and semi-arid regions. Conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the review analyzes the spatial and temporal patterns of envenomations, identifies key ecological, climatic, and anthropogenic determinants, and evaluates the growing evidence for climate change as a driver of increased risk. The study confirms hyperendemic levels of scorpion stings in the southwestern and western provinces, with species from the genera Hemiscorpius and Androctonus presenting the most severe medical threat. A meta-analysis of national data yields a pooled incidence rate of 92.7 per 100,000 population per year (95% CI: 68.4-117.0), with extreme heterogeneity (I² = 98.9%) reflecting stark regional disparities. The primary determinants of scorpion distribution and human-scorpion conflicts include climatic variables (temperature, precipitation, and humidity), land-use practices, unplanned urbanization, and occupational exposure. Recent evidence from species distribution modeling strongly suggests that climate change is expanding suitable habitats for scorpions, prolonging their active seasons, and increasing human-scorpion conflicts. This review highlights the critical need for improved surveillance, predictive spatial risk models, and climate-adaptive public health strategies to address this growing threat.
(© 2026. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to International Society of Biometeorology.)
Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: This study is a systematic review that did not require ethical approval and did not receive any technical or financial support from any institution. Competing interest: The author declares no conflicts of interest.
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Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Climate change; Ecological niche modeling; Epidemiology; Iran; Public health; Scorpion sting; Systematic review; Venomous arthropods
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260709 Date Completed: 20260710 Latest Revision: 20260724
Update Code: 20260725
DOI: 10.1007/s00484-026-03269-3
PMID: 42426277
Βάση Δεδομένων: MEDLINE
Περιγραφή
ISSN:1432-1254
DOI:10.1007/s00484-026-03269-3