Scorpion sting-induced pulmonary oedema: evidence of increased alveolocapillary membrane permeability.

A 16-year-old boy died with acute pulmonary oedema and shock after Tityus serrulatus scorpion sting. The patient showed evidence of cardiac dysfunction and damage, an increase in tracheobronchial aspirate/plasma protein concentration, light microscopic features of the lung compatible with the adult respiratory distress syndrome and electron microscopic findings compatible with acute lung injury and increased alveolocapillary membrane permeability.