Trend in the incidence rates of accidents with venomous animals in children and adolescents in Brazil (2007–2019)

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the temporal trend of the incidence rates of accidents with venomous animals in children and adolescents in Brazil. Methods: An ecological time-series study was carried out between 2007 and 2019. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Information System on Diseases of Compulsory Declaration (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação – SINAN). The time series of incidence rates of accidents with venomous animals were stratified by age group (children aged 0 to 9 years and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years), Brazilian macro-regions (North, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and South), and type of accident (snake, scorpion, spider, and caterpillar). For trend analysis, the Prais-Winsten model and the Annual Percent Change (APC) were used. Results: The time series of the incidence rate of accidents with venomous animals in children and adolescents from the North, Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast macro-regions and in children from the South region showed an upward trend. The average annual incidence rates were higher in the age group of 10 to 19 years, except for the South macro-region. Accidents with scorpions, snakes, and spiders, in this order, were the most frequent; the trends in the time series stratified by type of animal varied according to the geographic macro-region. Conclusions: There was an upward trend in the incidence rate of accidents with venomous animals in children and adolescents in Brazil, except for adolescents in the South macro-region of the country.

Brown spiders (Loxosceles) are taking hold in Pernambuco, Brazil: a case series, 2018-2022

“…Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO-WHO) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health, with effect from 2010 venomous animal poisoning has been a health condition requiring compulsory notification. 1 , 14 - 18 However, underreporting and little epidemiological importance given to accidents involving venomous animals means that loxoscelism continues to be part of the group of neglected diseases. 18 , 19 , 21 , 24…”

“…Spiders are one of the groups of venomous species that most cause poisoning in Brazil, with great variation in f requency between the country's five macro-regions and time of year. [1][2][3][4][5] Brown spiders are arachnids comprising different species of the genus Loxosceles that can cause spider bite injuries. 6,7 In the Northeast region of Brazil, especially in the state of Pernambuco, an increase in notifications of loxoscelism cases on the Brazilian System for Recording Poison Information and Care Center Poisoning Data (DATATOX) was seen between 2018 and 2022.…”

“…2,3,[10][11][12][13] Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO-WHO) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health, with effect f rom 2010 venomous animal poisoning has been a health condition requiring compulsory notification. 1,[14][15][16][17][18] However, underreporting and little epidemiological importance given to accidents involving venomous animals means that loxoscelism continues to be part of the group of neglected diseases. 18,19,21,24 Due to lack of information, people affected by Loxosceles do not attach importance to the initial bite injury and delay seeking health services, thus hindering timely diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic actions.…”

As aranhas-marrons (Loxosceles) estão se estabelecendo em Pernambuco: série de casos, 2018-2022

“…Aranhas representam um dos grupos de animais peçonhentos que mais causam envenenamentos no Brasil, com grande variação de frequência entre as grandes regiões nacionais e épocas do ano. [1][2][3][4][5] Conhecida como aranha-marrom, esse aracnídeo reúne diferentes espécies do gênero Loxosceles, responsáveis por esses acidentes. 6,7 Na região Nordeste do país, no estado de Pernambuco especialmente, observou--se um aumento das notificações de casos de loxoscelismo no Sistema Brasileiro de Registro de Intoxicações dos Centros de Informação e Assistência Toxicológica (Datatox), no período de 2018 a 2022.…”

The relationship and consequences of venomous animal encounters in the context of climate change

“…Nevertheless, it is important to point out that accidents involving venomous animals are also consequences of other anthropic variables that are directly or indirectly related to climate change, such as deforestation, migration, disorderly urbanization, unsafe housing, and socioeconomic changes (Konstantyner et al, 2022). In addition, lack of basic sanitation and waste collection, behavioral factors, misinformation, and difficulties in accessing health services and therapy with antivenom serums (Potet et al, 2021) can also be cited.…”