Use of point-of-care ultrasound to assess the severity of scorpion stings in hospitalized patients.

INTRODUCTION: Scorpionism is a public health problem, especially in tropical regions. In Brazil, the prevalence of envenomation by scorpions is high, and the average national lethality is around 0.16 percent. The Tityus serrulatus scorpion is the primary species of medical importance. However, objective tools to predict and define the severity of these envenomations are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational study conducted among patients aged 0-19 years with scorpionism. Patients were admitted to a reference hospital between December 2020 and May 2022. Point-of-care ultrasound was performed within 24 hours of the scorpion sting. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were included, with a median age of 3.6 (interquartile range 2.3-5.3) years and a predominance of females (51 percent). Fifteen patients (30.6 percent) presented major life-threatening signs, 32 (65.3 percent) minor systemic manifestations, and two (4.1 percent) only local manifestations. Left ventricular dysfunction was identified in 13 patients (26.5 percent). Ten patients (20.4 percent) presented pattern B (visualization of three or more B lines in the evaluated quadrant) in at least one lung window. The sensitivity and specificity of cardiac and pulmonary ultrasound to identify the most severely ill patients were 86 percent and 94 percent, respectively. DISCUSSION: The changes found on point-of-care ultrasound were associated with life-threatening signs. All patients with class III envenomation were referred to the intensive care unit, showing the importance of early identification of this subgroup. The main limitations were the small sample size and the fact that admission to intensive care was not based on systematic criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care ultrasound is able to identify early signs of pulmonary congestion and heart failure in scorpionism. It can be useful for the objective selection of patients who are at a higher risk of complications and death and who require intensive support; it may also be valuable for periodic reassessments. Point-of-care ultrasound is a valuable tool for identifying and monitoring severe cases of scorpionism.

Early-Onset Respiratory Muscle Paralysis in Crotalic Envenomation: A Case Study.

Crotalic envenomation is responsible for approximately 8%-13% of ophidism cases in Brazil, yet it is associated with the highest mortality among snakes. We describe the case of a patient bitten by a rattlesnake who developed ventilatory muscle paralysis within hours after envenomation. While diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare late neurotoxic event following crotalic envenomation, in this case, paralysis occurred early but was rapidly reversed after antivenom administration. This report discusses potential contributing factors based on a comprehensive literature review.

Early-Onset Respiratory Muscle Paralysis in Crotalic Envenomation: A Case Study

ABSTRACT Crotalic envenomation is responsible for approximately 8%-13% of ophidism cases in Brazil, yet it is associated with the highest mortality among snakes. We describe the case of a patient bitten by a rattlesnake who developed ventilatory muscle paralysis within hours after envenomation. While diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare late neurotoxic event following crotalic envenomation, in this case, paralysis occurred early but was rapidly reversed after antivenom administration. This report discusses potential contributing factors based on a comprehensive literature review.

A phase IV, prospective, observational study of the clinical safety of snake antivenoms.

Snake envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that affects more than 2.7 million people worldwide. The treatment is based on the administration of antivenom composed of heterologous immunoglobulins, species-specific therapy involving the possibility of adverse reactions due to activation of the immune system. Considering the scarcity of prospective studies evaluating the safety of snake antivenoms, this study aimed to describe and characterize adverse events after antivenom infusion in an observational, prospective, single-centre investigation conducted in a referral centre in Brazil. A total of 47 victims of snake envenoming were included in the study, who were mostly men (75%), with ages ranging from 2 to 83 years. Twenty-two participants (47%) presented manifestations compatible with infusion-related reactions (IRRs) during or up to two hours after F(ab')2 heterologous immunoglobulin infusion. The most common clinical manifestation related to the infusion was a diffuse cutaneous rash (82%), followed by respiratory manifestations (46%) and facial swelling (23%). In four cases (9%), IRR were considered serious adverse events (SAE), characterized by haemodynamic instability, airway obstruction or hypoxia. Only one patient developed symptoms compatible with serum sickness. Although almost half of the patients treated with antivenom sera experienced IRRs, the SAE rate was 9%; in all cases, the adverse reaction was reversible by using supportive treatment, and there were no deaths. The results have shown that there is much to improve in the antivenom production process to obtain a more purified and specific product. Even so, a timely antivenom serum administration managed by well-trained health teams is safe and prevents complications after snake-related accidents.

Uso de solução lipídica em intoxicação por beta-bloqueador: relato de caso / Use of lipid solution in beta-blocking severe intoxication: case report

Intoxicações por medicações de uso habitual ou drogas ilícitas tornaram-se um grave problema de saúde pública, com um impacto não apenas na mortalidade, mas com sequelas psicossociais relevantes. As manifestações clínicas dependem das propriedades farmacológicas da droga. Uso de solução lipídica no tratamento de intoxicações graves tem se tornado uma realidade cada vez mais consistente. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de uma paciente atendida no HPS João XXIII a partir de coleta de dados em prontuário. C.R.F ,39 anos sexo feminino, encaminhada da Unidade de pronto-atendimento de Ribeirão das Neves devido a ingestão proposital de três cartelas de atenolol, fluoxetina e losartana, onde foi realizado lavagem gástrica, administração de carvão ativado, e reposição volêmica, sem resposta. À admissão, evoluiu com parada cardiorrespiratória durante 10 minutos, sendo iniciadas medidas de ressuscitação, seguida de administração de solução lipídica. Foi encaminhada para unidade de terapia intensiva onde permaneceu por seis dias, seguido de alta para enfermaria e após dez dias de internação alta hospitalar sem qualquer sequela. Os beta-bloqueadores são substâncias bem absorvidas pelo trato gastrointestinal. Os primeiros efeitos tóxicos aparecem 20 a 30 minutos após a ingestão e o efeito máximo ocorre após 4 a 6 horas, podendo chegar a 10 horas em alguns compostos. De 2014 a 2016 foram realizados 92 atendimentos devido a intoxicação por beta-bloqueador (19 presenciais e 73 por telefone) no Serviço de Toxicologia do Hospital João XXIII, sendo metade destes por tentativa de auto-extermínio. Nenhum óbito foi registrado nesse período. (AU)

Intoxications from commonly used medications or illicit drugs have become a serious public health problem, with an impact not only on mortality, but also on psychosocial and morbidity sequelae. The clinical manifestations depend on the pharmacological properties of the drug. Use of lipid solution in the treatment of severe poisoning has become an increasingly consistent reality. The purpose of this paper is to report the case of a patient attended in the HPS John XXIII from data collection in medical records. C.R.F, a 39-year-old female, referred from the Ribeirão das Neves emergency room due to the intentional ingestion of three tablets of atenolol, fluoxetine and losartan, where gastric lavage, activated carbon administration and volumetric replacement were performed without response. Upon admission, he evolved with cardiorespiratory arrest for 10 minutes, and resuscitation measures were initiated, followed by administration of lipid solution. She was referred to an intensive care unit where she remained for six days, followed by discharge to the ward and ten days after hospital discharge without any sequelae. Beta-blockers are well-absorbed substances in the gastrointestinal tract. The first toxic effects appear 20 to 30 minutes after ingestion and the maximum effect occurs after 4 to 6 hours, and can reach 10 hours in some compounds. From 2014 to 2016, 92 consultations were performed due to beta-blocker poisoning (19 presential and 73 by telephone) at the Toxicology Service of the Hospital João XXIII, half of which were for self-extermination. No deaths were recorded during this period. (AU)

Uso De Solução Lipídica Em Intoxicação Por Beta-Bloqueador: Relato De Caso / Use Of Lipid Solution In Beta-Blocking Severe Intoxication: Case Report

Intoxicações por medicações de uso habitual ou drogas ilícitas tornaramse um grave problema de saúde pública, com um impacto não apenas na mortalidade, mas com sequelas psicossociais relevantes. As manifestações clínicas dependem das propriedades farmacológicas da droga. Uso de solução lipídica no tratamento de intoxicações graves tem se tornado uma realidade cada vez mais consistente. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de uma paciente atendida no HPS João XXIII a partir de coleta de dados em prontuário. C.R.F ,39 anos sexo feminino, encaminhada da Unidade de pronto-atendimento de Ribeirão das Neves devido a ingestão proposital de três cartelas de atenolol, fluoxetina e losartana, onde foi realizado lavagem gástrica, administração de carvão ativado, e reposição volêmica, sem resposta. À admissão, evoluiu com parada cardiorrespiratória durante 10 minutos, sendo iniciadas medidas de ressuscitação, seguida de administração de solução lipídica. Foi encaminhada para unidade de terapia intensiva onde permaneceu por seis dias, seguido de alta para enfermaria e após dez dias de internação alta hospitalar sem qualquer sequela. Os beta-bloqueadores são substâncias bem absorvidas pelo trato gastrointestinal. Os primeiros efeitos tóxicos aparecem 20 a 30 minutos após a ingestão e o efeito máximo ocorre após 4 a 6 horas, podendo chegar a 10 horas em alguns compostos. De 2014 a 2016 foram realizados 92 atendimentos devido a intoxicação por beta-bloqueador (19 presenciais e 73 por telefone) no Serviço de Toxicologia do Hospital João XXIII, sendo metade destes por tentativa de auto-extermínio. Nenhum óbito foi registrado nesse período. (AU)

Intoxications from commonly used medications or illicit drugs have become a serious public health problem, with an impact not only on mortality, but also on psychosocial and morbidity sequelae. The clinical manifestations depend on the pharmacological properties of the drug. Use of lipid solution in the treatment of severe poisoning has become an increasingly consistent reality. The purpose of this paper is to report the case of a patient attended in the HPS John XXIII from data collection in medical records. C.R.F, a 39-year-old female, referred from the Ribeirão das Neves emergency room due to the intentional ingestion of three tablets of atenolol, fluoxetine and losartan, where gastric lavage, activated carbon administration and volumetric replacement were performed without response. Upon admission, he evolved with cardiorespiratory arrest for 10 minutes, and resuscitation measures were initiated, followed by administration of lipid solution. She was referred to an intensive care unit where she remained for six days, followed by discharge to the ward and ten days after hospital discharge without any sequelae. Beta-blockers are well-absorbed substances in the gastrointestinal tract. The first toxic effects appear 20 to 30 minutes after ingestion and the maximum effect occurs after 4 to 6 hours, and can reach 10 hours in some compounds. From 2014 to 2016, 92 consultations were performed due to beta-blocker poisoning (19 presential and 73 by telephone) at the Toxicology Service of the Hospital João XXIII, half of which were for self-extermination. No deaths were recorded during this period. (AU)

Botulismo: relato de caso / Food borne botulism: case report

É relatado o caso de um paciente de 39 anos, com quadro agudo de sintomas gastrointestinais e neuroparalíticos, após ingestão de alimentos contaminados. O quadro evoluiu com parada cardiorrespiratória e necessidade de ventilação mecânica. O diagnóstico de botulismo foi confirmado pelo achado da toxina tipo A em amostras de sangue do paciente, que recebeu suporte clínico e tratamento especifico com antitoxina botulinica, recuperando-se sem apresentar seqüelas.

This is a report of a 39 year-old man who presented an acute onset of gastrointestinal and neuroparalytic symptoms after the ingestion of contaminated food. He had a cardiac arrest and needed ventilatory support. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of type A botutinal toxin in the patient's serum. He received supportive care and botulin antitoxin, recovering without sequelae.