Incidence of Snake Bites in Kashan, Iran During an Eight Year Period (2004-2011)

Abstract

Background:Snake bites are one of the significant health problems in the tropical and subtropical regions. Snake bite is a common medical emergency in Iran, and the epidemiological features and management of such cases vary from region to region.Objectives:This present research study was conducted to obtain new information about the epidemiology of snake bites in the region of Kashan, located in the central part of Iran.Patients and Methods:This research was a descriptive retrospective study. Data from 2004 to 2011 of snakebite cases were collected from case reports. Information included; age and sex of the victim, district, month of incident, mortality, and time of bite.Results:The results of this study showed that the majority of snake bite patients were male (96%). The age distribution of patients indicated that the greatest rate of snake bites occurred among the 15-24 year old group. Data collected in this study revealed that the highest incidence of snake bite cases took place in summer (60%) and the lowest number occurred in winter, with no snake bite cases being recorded. The peak number of snakebite cases was seen during June-September.Conclusions:It was concluded that snake bite cases in Kashan are similar to other areas in Iran from an epidemiological point of view, including; age distribution rates, gender and site of the bites. The existence of Macrov ipera lebetina, a dangerous venomous snake, can cause a range of clinical effects among residents in central parts of Iran, such as Kashan area.

The identification of bacterial flora in oral cavity of snakes

“…Out of them, 35,000-50,000 cases are the victims of venomous snakes (Chippaux 1998). From 2001-2009, there were 5000-7000 documented cases in Iran where seven to eight cases killed once a year (Dehghani et al 2012). On the other hand farmers, cattle breeders and also veterans believe that snakebites are the common cause of mortality among pets, yielding a predominant economical loss (Silva et al 2011).…”

“…Although 10-20 % of the total reported snakebite cases occur at home or surrounding areas, most occurred events represent the hazard for agriculture-related professions in rural areas. Approximately, 85-90 % snakebites happen in rural and agricultural section because mice are the main food for snakes and also the vermin for agricultural products (Jorge et al 2004;Otero-Patiño 2009;Chippaux 2010;Thomas and Brook 2011;Dehghani et al 2012;Machado et al 2012). Seventy percent of the snakebite sites are at extremity organs (Otero-Patiño 2009).…”

“…Canine teeth have needle-like grooves containing venom originating from poison glands. Snakes inject venom into the deep body of their prey (Dehghani et al 2012). But non-venomous snakes have simple teeth without a route to poison glands.…”

“…Snakes are found in most part of Iran, especially in the desert and dried regions. Sixtynine species, out of which 36 are non-venomous, 25 venomous, and 8 semi-venomous, have been identified in Iran (Dehghani et al 2012). More than 3500 species have been found worldwide which less than 10 % are venomous (Bawaskar 2004;Meenatchisundaram and Michael 2009;Dehghani et al 2012).…”

“…Sixtynine species, out of which 36 are non-venomous, 25 venomous, and 8 semi-venomous, have been identified in Iran (Dehghani et al 2012). More than 3500 species have been found worldwide which less than 10 % are venomous (Bawaskar 2004;Meenatchisundaram and Michael 2009;Dehghani et al 2012). Snakebite prevalence rate, irrespective of involved species, is different from country to country and even region to region within one country.…”