Serpentes peçonhentas e ofidismo em Cruzeiro do Sul, Alto Juruá, Estado do Acre, Brasil

Abstract

Apesar da importância dos acidentes ofídicos na Saúde Pública, são relativamente poucas as pesquisas realizadas sobre esse tema no Brasil. Devido aos poucos estudos sobre ofidismo na Amazônia e especialmente no estado do Acre, trabalhos epidemiológicos são de grande relevância. Esse estudo apresenta a lista de serpentes peçonhentas e aspectos epidemiológicos dos acidentes ofídicos em Cruzeiro do Sul, região do Alto Juruá (Acre), verificando quais gêneros de serpentes são responsáveis pelos envenenamentos e aspectos que envolvem o acidente e o atendimento hospitalar. Despite the importance of accidents involving snakebites, research on this theme in Brazil is relatively rare, especially in the Amazon region. Due to the poor number of studies about ophidism in the state of Acre and to the importance of this type of research in public health, epidemiological works on snake bite accidents are of great relevance. This study presents the list of species of poisonous snakes and the epidemiological aspects of snakebites in Cruzeiro do Sul, region of Alto Juruá (State of Acre, Brazil), in order to verify the snake genera responsible for the bites, and the main aspects involving the accidents and hospital attending. The epidemiologic data were collected from SINAN (National Databank of Major Causes of Morbidity) in the sector of epidemiologic vigilance of Hospital Regional do Juruá, in Cruzeiro do Sul. Seven species of poisonous snakes were recorded in Cruzeiro do Sul: three viperids (Bothrops atrox, Bothriopsis bilineata and Lachesis muta) and four elapids (Micrurus hemprichii, M. lemniscatus, M. remotus and M. surinamensis). During a two-year period (August 2007 to July 2009) 195 cases of snakebites were recorded. Fifty-one percent of the accidents were classified as lachetic (Lachesis), followed by bothropic (Bothrops and Bothriopsis) with 38% and crotalic (Crotalus) with 2%. In 9% of cases the snake genus involved was not informed. The majority of the accidents involved adult males living in rural areas, mainly affected in the lower limbs. The cases occurred most frequently from November to April, coinciding with the highest pluviometric levels. Most snakebites were equivocally attributed to L. muta, and were probably caused by B. atrox.

The epidemiology of envenomation via snakebite in the State of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil

“…These alternations in the blood coagulation rate are in agreement with previously reported data (8) (9) . The most frequently bitten part of the body was the foot (n = 658; 43.1%),…”

“…However, these efforts should also be intensifi ed during the months of peak incidence. The increased number of snakebites during the rainy period has also been observed in other northeastern regions of Bazil (7) (8) , as well as in the northern region (9) . Similarly, studies regarding the epidemiology of snakebites in the southern (10) and southeastern (11) regions have reported a higher incidence of snakebites during the rainy period, although the rainy season in these regions occurs between October and April.…”

Accidents With Poisonous Animals in Brazil by Age and Sex

“…13,14 Improvements in transportation of the victims from isolated places to the city centres could reduce those indicators. Many victims also misconduct the treatment or do not seek hospital care in cases of poisoning.…”

“…3,4 This highlights the importance of educational campaigns on first aid and the importance of going to a hospital. Training of health professionals for the treatment of patients bitten by poisonous animals, according to the epidemiological situation and fauna of the region where it is located, 14,15 is another important recommendation.…”

Snakebites as a largely neglected problem in the Brazilian Amazon: highlights of the epidemiological trends in the State of Amazonas

“…Through abstract analysis, 73 articles were retrieved, and after application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 articles (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) were selected (Figure 1). These studies were published from 1996 to 2012, and they included six case series (fi ve based on epidemiological surveillance and one on hospital medical records), two questionnaire-based community surveys and three case reports.…”