Poisonous Snakes of Bulgaria: Сlinical and Epidemiological Analysis

Abstract

Snakes are cold-blooded, legless reptiles of the suborder Serpentes. They belong to the order - Squamates. They conjure contradictory feelings in man: fear and honor, disgust and admiration. Snake symbol is found in almost all cultures of the world. Snake is perceived variously by different nations and different religions. In one, the snake is a symbol of the environmental forces of nature, and in others it is associated with evil and chaos. Of the 3000 species of snakes in the globe, only 400 are poisonous. The aim of the present study is to analyze the clinical course, the specific treatment and the prophylactic measures for poisonous snakes bites, the presentation of the poisonous snakes in Bulgaria and the most poisonous ones in the world. Analysis of epidemiological data in the world and in the Pleven region for the last 8 years. This study investigates clinical cases of poisonous bites in the Pleven region. Was obtained a comparative analysis of epidemiological data and methodological justification of the results. There are 18 species of snakes in Bulgaria, 4 of which are poisonous. Snakes that may pose a threat to human life are Vipera berus and the Vipera ammodytes. Definitive for snake bite is a combination of local toxic damages with general toxic effects. The bites of the Vipera berus are leading in Pleven region because of geographical peculiarities (altitude). For the period 2011 – 2018 years 63 patients with snakes bites were hospitalized. They account 1.75% of the total toxicology pathology. 52% of them are men and 48% are women. 56 % of patients were only with local symptoms, 44% were with local and general symptoms. 69% of patients were with slightly severity of the clinical course, 23% were with medium severity and 8% with high severity. Lethal cases were 0%. According to WHO data, 5 million people are exposed to bites per year. Prior to applying modern treatment methods, lethality accounts for 20-40% and in some countries up to 70%. Now, thanks to the use of anti-virus serum, the number of deaths has decreased significantly. Although there are no lethal snakes in Bulgaria, every bite is not to be underestimated due to the fact that complications for people with health problems are very severe.