Potentiation of aminoglycoside antibiotic activity using the body fat from the snake Boa constrictor

Boa constrictor is widely used in traditional communities in many different folk remedies and products derived from it are sold in public markets throughout northeastern Brazil and as its body fat has many different therapeutic indications as a folk remedy. The present work evaluates the antibacterial activity of the body fat from the snake Boa constrictor when employed either alone or in combination with antibiotics and discusses the ecological implications of the use of this traditional remedy. Oil (OBC) was extracted from body fat located in the ventral region of B. constrictor using hexane as a solvent. The antibacterial activity of OBC was tested against standard as well as multi-resistant lines, either alone and in combination with antibiotics. OBC did not demonstrate any relevant antibacterial activity against standard or multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. OBC showed synergistic activity when combined with the aminoglycoside antibiotics. Our results indicate that the body fat of Boa constrictor does not possess bactericidal activity, from the clinical point of view, but when combined with an antibiotic, the fat demonstrated a significant synergistic activity.

Pigmentação exógena em pododáctilos simulando isquemia de extremidades: um desafio diagnóstico provocado por artrópodos da classe Diplopoda (piolhos-de-cobra) / Exogenous pigmentation in toes feigning ischemia of the extremities: a diagnostic challenge brought by arthropods of the Diplopoda Class (millipedes)

Um paciente de 24 anos relatou ter pisado em um "piolho de cobra". Ao ser examinado, este apresentava máculas eritêmato-cianóticas, nos três primeiros pododáctilos do pé direito, com queixas de dor local e parestesias, com fluxos arteriais palpáveis. Os diplopodas são artrópodos cilíndricos segmentados que assumem posição enrodilhada - quando ameaçados - liberam quinonas e outros agentes irritativos e pigmentantes. A coloração de aspecto cianótico lembra sofrimento tissular isquêmico, o que pode confundir profissionais em atendimentos de Emergência, quando a história não apresenta clareza e coerência.

A 24 year-old patient reported having stepped on a millipede. When examined the patient presented cyanotic and erythematous macules on the first three toes of his right foot, and also complained of local pain and paresthesia, with palpable arterial flows. Millipedes are cylindrical segmented arthropods that when threatened form into curls and release quinones and other irritant and pigmentary substances. The cyanotic color reminds ischaemic tissular distress fact that may confuse professionals in Emergency Rooms when the clinical report is unclear.