Q: 52 year old male while on trip to Arizona encountered Scorpion sting and probable Envenomation. Patient is intubated in field and transferred to ED. Anascorp (only commercially available anti venom for scorpion bite) has been administered. Which factors should keep you on high alert for anaphylactic reaction from Scorpion anti venom administration?

Answer:

Anascorp® is made from equine (horse) plasma. Patients with known allergies to horse protein are particularly at risk for an anaphylactic reaction. Patients who have had previous therapy with Anascorp® or another equine antivenom/antitoxin may have become sensitized to equine proteins and be at risk for a severe hypersensitivity reaction.