First report of scorpionism caused by Tityus serrulatus, described by Lutz and Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones, Buthidae), a species non-native to the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract This reports a case of scorpionism caused by Tityus serrulatus. A male adult was stung while unloading bananas at the supply center in Belém, Pará, Brazil. The bananas originated in another state (Bahia) and were brought to Belém by truck. The patient presented with pain, edema, and erythema at the sting site, and was classified as low-risk. The specimen was identified as T. serrulatus and symptomatic treatment and clinical observation were advised. The patient was discharged later without further complications. This is the first known envenomation caused by T. serrulatus, a non-native species to Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon.

Fatal anaphylaxis to Jaguajir rochae (Borelli, 1910) (scorpiones, buthidae) in Brazil: a case report

A 44-year-old healthy farmer, was stung by a scorpion on his right hand while preparing soil for planting in the Caatinga area (a large area in the north-east of Brazil characterized by semiarid scrub forest), in the Catarina Municipality countryside, Ceará State, Brazil. According to the reports of carers and family members, the patient initially reported mild pain at the site of the sting, but within a few minutes he developed malaise, pruritus in the body and throat, edema in the nostrils, and a dry mouth which led to looking for water to drink. It rapidly evolved into sphincter, urinary and fecal release, salivation and a convulsive episode with loss of the senses. He was dead on arrival at Catarina Municipality Hospital emergency department. The necroscopic report indicated suffocation due to glottal edema and acute lung edema as the "cause of death". The animal which caused the accident was under a rock that the patient was manipulating at the time of the incident, and has been identified by experts as Jaguajir rochae (Borelli, 1910) scorpion species, formerly synonymized Rhopalurus rochae. This is the first report of a fatality due to an allergic reaction to the venom of this species. This leads to the possibility that deaths caused by stings from other scorpion species may be due to anaphylaxis, whose symptoms in some situations may be confused with severe envenomation.

Envenomations by colubrids: case reports

Introduction: Envenomations by non-venomous snakes in Brazil are poorly accounted for and classified as mild, in which pain, erythema and local edema are reported. Objective: To describe accidents by Philodryas olfersii and Hydrodynastes gigas that occurred in the State of Pará, Brazil. Case report: The patient bitten by Philodryas presented bleeding, pain, local edema and axillary adenopathy. The patient bitten by Hydrodynastes had pain, local growing edema, as well as ecchymosis, fever and headache. No laboratory tests were performed. The treatment was based on pain control after identification of the snakes. Conclusion: The local symptomatology of colubrids is similar to accidents with Bothrops. It is important that health professionals perform a correct diagnosis for proper treatment.

Dermatitis caused by centipede envenomation: a case report

Accidents caused by centipedes in Brazil result in mild envenomation, where pain, erythema and edema are predominant. Cases rarely evolve to complication stages. This report presents a clinical case of dermatitis produced by an unidentified centipede, registered at the Toxicological Information Center of Belém-Pará, which evolved to blisters and necrosis. The patient underwent treatment with antibiotics and oral anti-inflammatory drugs, topical bactericides and surgical cleaning; resulting in cicatrization of the wound. The purpose of this report is to inform health professionals of the possibility of complications, which should be considered and dealt with conventionally.

Spatial distribution of envenomation by scorpions in Pará state, Brazil

Scorpionism is recognized by the World Health Organization as a neglected disease and, in Pará State, Brazil, it is considered a public health hazard. The objective of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of envenomation caused by scorpions in Pará. The data related to envenomation were collected from 2007 to 2014 and used for both descriptive and transversal studies. For those studies records obtained from ongoing investigations from the database of the National Notifiable Diseases Information System at the Public Health Department of Pará State were used. Envenomation occurs year round, most often in the first half of the year, in males from the countryside, aged 20 to 59 years and taking up to 3 hours to reach medical care. The deaths occurred from ages 15 to 59. Regarding the severity of the cases, class I cases were the most frequent and class III cases were the least frequent, accounting for only 5.1% of all cases. Of the 144 municipalities of Pará State, in 126 the frequency of envenomation ranged from 1 to 1,208 cases per municipality. Thirteen municipalities located in the lower Amazon region and in the southwest of Pará State presented higher occurences, including the highest number of deaths. Scorpionism is present throughout Pará State. However, there were differences in severity and incidence in the various regions, with higher frequency in the southwest of the State and in the lower Amazon region, corresponding to the Tapajós and Guyana endemic areas in the Brazilian Amazon.

Dermatitis after contact with Pheropsophus sp (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Brachininae) in the Pará State, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract: Dermatitis caused by bombardier beetles is rarely reported. Here, we report a case of beetle-caused dermatitis that occurred in Pará State, the Brazilian Amazon. A female patient while putting on her shoes, felt a burning pain in the right hallux and noticed a beetle inside the shoe. During medical consultation, the physician observed that the injury site was brown and discolored. The patient complained of localized burning pain and blurred vision. The beetle responsible for the injury was identified as Pheropsophus sp. Administered treatment included cleaning with saline, analgesics, and topical hydrocortisone acetate and the patient was discharged without complaints.

Hemorrhagic stroke in children caused by Bothrops marajoensis envenoming: a case report

According to the World Health Organization, snakebites are considered neglected diseases. Bothrops, the genus most frequently implicated in envenomations in Brazil, includes the species B. marajoensis Hoge, 1966, part of the complex B. atrox, which is found in the savannas of Marajó Island, Pará state, Brazil, a region that presents scarce epidemiological data. This work reports the first case of hemorrhagic stroke in a child, attributed to delayed medical care after snakebite envenoming by Bothrops marajoensis in Anajás city, Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil, which led to permanent hemiplegia as a sequela.

Hemorrhagic stroke in children caused by Bothrops marajoensis envenoming: a case report

According to the World Health Organization, snakebites are considered neglected diseases. Bothrops, the genus most frequently implicated in envenomations in Brazil, includes the species B. marajoensis Hoge, 1966, part of the complex B. atrox, which is found in the savannas of Marajó Island, Pará state, Brazil, a region that presents scarce epidemiological data. This work reports the first case of hemorrhagic stroke in a child, attributed to delayed medical care after snakebite envenoming by Bothrops marajoensis in Anajás city, Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil, which led to permanent hemiplegia as a sequela.(AU)

Envenomation by Micrurus coral snakes in the Brazilian Amazon region: report of two cases / Envenenamento por coral do gênero Micrurus na Amazônia brasileira: relato de dois casos

Two cases of proven coral snake bites were reported in Belém, Pará State, Brazil. The first case was a severe one caused by Micrurus surinamensis. The patient required mechanical ventilation due to acute respiratory failure. The second case showed just mild signs of envenomation caused by Micrurus filiformis. Both patients received specific Micrurus antivenom and were discharged without further complications. Coral snake bites are scarcely reported in the Amazon region and there is a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, varying from extremely mild to those which may rapidly lead to death if the patient is not treated as soon as possible.

Dois acidentes por coral verdadeira são descritos em Belém, Pará. O primeiro caso foi decorrente de envenenamento por Micrurus surinamensis, no qual a vítima necessitou ventilação mecânica por insuficiência respiratória. O segundo, causado por Micrurus filiformis, apresentou apenas manifestações leves. Ambos os pacientes receberam soro antielapídico específico e evoluíram sem complicações. Acidentes por coral verdadeira na região Amazônica são raramente descritos e podem cursar com um largo espectro de alterações, que variam desde quadros de envenenamento muito leves até manifestações com risco de óbito.

Intoxicações medicamentosas em Belém registradas nos 10 anos do Centro de informações toxicológicas de Belém. / Medical intoxications in Belém registared in the past 10 years of cit- Belém

Objetivo: caracterizar as intoxicações medicamentosas em Belém. Metodo: estudo descritivo das intoxicações medicamentosas ocorridas em Belém, registrados no banco de dados Tabwin 3.2, do CIT-Belém, no período de 1998 a 2007. Resultados: no período em estudo foi notificado ao Centro de Informações Toxicológicas de Belém-CIT, 10.017 casos de intoxicações em geral; desses, 868 (8,6%) acidentes ocorreram na cidade de Belém e tendo como agentes tóxicos os medicamentos; o sexo feminino contribuiu com 58% dos casos; dentre os medicamentos os mais freqüentes: Haloperidol (6,0%), Carbamazepina (3%) e Fenobarbital (3,5%); as crianças de 1 a 4 anos foram as mais vitimadas com 33,5%; 50% desses acidentes foram individuais e 1% evoluiu a óbito. Conclusão: as intoxicações medicamentosas em Belém mostram que as mulheres e crianças são as maiores vítimas, tendo como principal agente tóxico os medicamentos de uso continuo. Como órgão de assessoria aos profissionais de saúde o CIT-Belém tem colaborado na prevenção e tratamento dessas intoxicações neste município

Objective: to characterize the drug poisoning of Belém. Methodology: descriptive study of drug poisoning occurred in Belém, recorded in the database Tabwin 3.2, the CIT-Belém, in the period 1998 to 2007. Results: in the period under review was served on the CIT-Belém 10.017 cases of poisoning in general, of those, 868 (8.6%) accidents occurred in the city of Belém and taking the drugs as toxic agents. The women contributed 58% of cases, the drugs among the most frequent: Haloperidol (6.0%), Carbamazepine (3%) and Phenobarbital (3.5%); children from 1 to 4 years were the most affected with 33.5%; 50% ofthese accidents were individual and 1% evolved to death. Conclusion: the drug poisoning in Belém show that women and children are the greatest victims, with the main toxic agent continuous use of medicines. As a body of advice to health care professionals the CIT-Belém has collaborated in the prevention and treatment of poisoning in this city.