Experimental studies on the aetiology of acute scorpion pancreatitis

This study examined the action of the venom of the scorpion Tityus trinitatis on the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract in anaesthetized dogs, on the isolated extracorporeal haemoperfised canine pancreas and on the isolated canine sphincter of Oddi. The venom induces exocrine secretion in both the isolated and intact pancreas and causes contraction of the isolated sphincter of Oddi. These results are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of acute scorpion pancreatitis and possibly of some other form of acute pancreatitis.