Vulnerabilities and clinical manifestations in scorpion envenomations in Santarém, Pará, Brazil: a qualitative study / Vulnerabilidades e manifestações clínicas em envenenamentos por escorpiões em Santarém, Pará, Brasil: estudo qualitativo / Vulnerabilidades y manifestaciones clínicas en envenenamiento de escorpiones en Santarém, Pará, Brasil: estudio cualitativo

Abstract Objective: To describe elements of vulnerabilities and clinical manifestations of the victims of scorpionism in Santarem-Pará. Method: Quantitative and qualitative study with a theoretical framework of Twenty-eight patients stung by scorpions were interviewed by applying a semi-structured instrument. Data were analyzed according to the technique of discourse analysis. Results: Seventeen patients (60.7%) were male and eight (28.6%) were illiterate. Twenty-two (78.5%) patients were small farmers. This study revealed that these patients had an important individual, social and programmatic vulnerability. Interviews revealed limited knowledge about prevention and first aid after the envenomation. Programmatic vulnerability is highlighted because there is difficulty in accessing health services due to the great geographical extension of the Amazon region and also a lack of experience of the health care workers in caring for scorpion sting victims. Conclusion: This research accurately reveals previously described neuromuscular and sensory nervous system disorders in these victims of scorpionism. As far as we know, this is the first study that addresses the vulnerability of scorpionism using qualitative methodology.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever elementos de vulnerabilidades e manifestações clínicas das vítimas de escorpionismo em Santarém-Pará. Método: Estudo quantitativo e qualitativo, com referencial teórico de 28 pacientes picados por escorpiões, foram entrevistados mediante aplicação de instrumento semiestruturado. Os dados foram analisados ​​de acordo com a técnica de análise de discurso. Resultados: Dezessete pacientes (60,7%) eram do sexo masculino e oito (28,6%) eram analfabetos. Vinte e dois (78,5%) pacientes eram pequenos agricultores. O estudo revelou que esses pacientes apresentavam uma importante vulnerabilidade individual, social e programática. As entrevistas revelaram conhecimento limitado sobre prevenção e primeiros socorros após o envenenamento. A vulnerabilidade programática é destacada porque há dificuldade no acesso aos serviços de saúde devido à grande extensão geográfica da região amazônica e também à falta de experiência dos profissionais de saúde no atendimento às vítimas de picadas de escorpião. Conclusão: Esta pesquisa revela com precisão os distúrbios neuromusculares e sensoriais do sistema nervoso descritos anteriormente nessas vítimas de escorpionismo. Até onde sabemos, este é o primeiro estudo que aborda a vulnerabilidade do escorpionismo usando metodologia qualitativa.

Resumen Objetivo: Describir los elementos de vulnerabilidades y manifestaciones clínicas de las víctimas del escorpionismo en Santarem-Pará. Método: Estudio cuantitativo y cualitativo, con marco teórico de veintiocho pacientes picados por escorpiones, que fueron entrevistados mediante la aplicación de un instrumento semiestructurado. Los datos fueron analizados de acuerdo con la técnica de análisis del discurso. Resultados: Diecisiete pacientes (60.7%) eran hombres y ocho (28.6%) eran analfabetos. Veintidós (78,5%) pacientes eran pequeños agricultores. Este estudio reveló que estos pacientes tenían una importante vulnerabilidad individual, social y programática. Las entrevistas revelaron el reduzido conocimiento sobre la prevención y primeros auxilios después del envenenamiento. La vulnerabilidad programática se destaca porque hay dificultades para acceder a los servicios de salud debido a la gran extensión geográfica de la región amazónica y también la falta de experiencia de los trabajadores de salud en el cuidado de las víctimas de picaduras de escorpiones. Conclusión: Esta investigación eviencio con exactitud los trastornos neuromusculares y sensoriales del sistema nervioso descritos anteriormente en estas víctimas del escorpionismo. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer estudio que aborda la vulnerabilidad del escorpionismo utilizando la metodología cualitativa.

A case of envenomation caused by Oxybelis fulgidus (Serpentes, Colubridae) in Brazilian Amazon

Abstract A case of a bite inflicted by Oxybelis fulgidus in the wilds of Amazon is reported. The patient was a 67-year-old man who presented with dizziness, tachycardia and local pain, with erythema and bleeding in his left arm. The venom of Oxybelis fulgidus, a neotropical rear-fanged snake, contains one of the four three-finger toxins already isolated from colubrid snakes, called fulgimotoxin. He was treated with oral analgesics and returned to the ambulatory in 48 hours, with good evolution. We report tirst authenticated case of adult Oxybelis fulgidus with signs of mild local envenoming without evidence of systemic envenoming.

Injuries caused by freshwater stingrays in the Tapajós River Basin: a clinical and sociodemographic study

Abstract INTRODUCTION Freshwater stingray envenomations are an important cause of morbidity in riverine populations living in various regions of Brazil. The sequelae include temporary or permanent disability. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects related to stingray injuries in such populations. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Extractive Reserve of Tapajos-Arapiuns, located in the municipalities of Santarém and Aveiro (Pará State). A convenience sample comprising 300 local adults was used to obtain data by means of a questionnaire/ interview. RESULTS Overall, 19 (6.3%) participants reported having sustained a stingray injury in the 12 months prior to the study. All 19 were injured either while fishing (n=13 [68.4%]) or engaging in other riverine activities. Most injuries [n=14 (73.7%)] occurred from September through November, and most injured respondents [n=15 (78.9%)] reported seeing stingrays at beaches. Severe pain and the appearance of ulcers in the later stages of envenomation were described by 18 (94.7%) and 12 (63.2%) participants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Freshwater stingray injuries, which should be considered occupational injuries, are common in the study area, especially in places like beaches or in the lakes that form during the dry season, when stingrays are routinely observed. A significant proportion of respondents was unaware of the correct first aid measures and had insufficient resources to treat the complications of these injuries in the locality where they reside. Interactive activities involving local residents - such as lectures and the distribution of simple pamphlets providing information about stingray injuries - are needed.

First report of hepatic hematoma after presumed Bothrops envenomation

ABSTRACTIn Latin America, Bothrops envenomation is responsible for the majority of accidents caused by venomous snakes. Patients usually present local edema, bleeding and coagulopathy. Visceral hemorrhage is extremely rare and considered a challenge for diagnosis and management. We report the first case of hepatic hematoma owing to the bothropic envenomation in a 66-year-old man who was bitten in the left leg. He presented local edema, coagulopathy, and acute kidney injury. Radiological findings suggested hepatic hematoma, with a volume of almost 3 liters. The hepatic hematoma was gradually absorbed without the need for surgical intervention with complete resolution in 8 months.