Comparison of Bothropoides jararaca bites with and without envenoming treated at the Vital Brazil Hospital of the Butantan Institute, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyses the cases of all bites (including dry bites) caused by Bothropoides jararaca attended at the Vital Brazil Hospital of the Butantan Institute, State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of patients bitten by Bothropoides jararaca (n=792) from January 1990 to December 2004. The characteristics of the snake specimen, data related to the accident and clinical manifestations on admission were obtained from patient medical records. RESULTS: The majority of the cases in this study were caused by female and juvenile snakes. No stomach contents were found in 93.4% of the snake specimens after dissection. No statistical difference was observed between the occurrence of dry bites and the maturity or sex of the snake. The median SVL of snakes in mild and moderate cases was 40.5 cm and in severe cases, SVL increased to 99 cm. Necrosis was more common in the digits of the feet and hands (4.8%) compared to the other body regions (1.8%). A significant difference was verified between severity and a time interval greater than six hours from the bite to hospital admission. A significant association was verified between gingival bleeding and abnormal blood coagulability. In accidents caused by adult snakes, necrosis was more frequent (7.2%) compared to accidents caused by juvenile snakes (1%). CONCLUSIONS: In this work, the association between certain epidemiological data and the evolution of biological parameters in the clinical course of Bothrops sensu latu accidents were highlighted, contributing to the improvement of snake bite assistance.

Comparison of Bothropoides jararaca bites with and without envenoming treated at the Vital Brazil Hospital of the Butantan Institute, State of São Paulo, Brazil / Comparação dos acidentes causados por Bothropoides jararaca com e sem envenenamento atendidos no Hospital Vital Brazil do Instituto Butantan, Estado de São Paulo

INTRODUCTION: This study analyses the cases of all bites (including dry bites) caused by Bothropoides jararaca attended at the Vital Brazil Hospital of the Butantan Institute, State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of patients bitten by Bothropoides jararaca (n=792) from January 1990 to December 2004. The characteristics of the snake specimen, data related to the accident and clinical manifestations on admission were obtained from patient medical records. RESULTS: The majority of the cases in this study were caused by female and juvenile snakes. No stomach contents were found in 93.4 percent of the snake specimens after dissection. No statistical difference was observed between the occurrence of dry bites and the maturity or sex of the snake. The median SVL of snakes in mild and moderate cases was 40.5cm and in severe cases, SVL increased to 99cm. Necrosis was more common in the digits of the feet and hands (4.8 percent) compared to the other body regions (1.8 percent). A significant difference was verified between severity and a time interval greater than six hours from the bite to hospital admission. A significant association was verified between gingival bleeding and abnormal blood coagulability. In accidents caused by adult snakes, necrosis was more frequent (7.2 percent) compared to accidents caused by juvenile snakes (1 percent). CONCLUSIONS: In this work, the association between certain epidemiological data and the evolution of biological parameters in the clinical course of Bothrops sensu latu accidents were highlighted, contributing to the improvement of snake bite assistance.

INTRODUÇÃO: Neste estudo, analisou-se todos os casos de picadas (incluindo picadas secas) causadas por Bothropoides jararaca atendidos no Hospital Vital Brazil do Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo em que foram incluídos pacientes atendidos no Hospital Vital Brazil do Instituto Butantan, picados por serpentes da espécie Bothropoides jararaca (nº=792) entre 1990 a 2004. Os dados foram obtidos através de prontuários médicos. RESULTADOS: No presente estudo, a maioria dos acidentes foi causada por serpentes fêmeas e filhotes. Não havia presença de conteúdo estomacal em 93,4 por cento das serpentes dissecadas. Não houve diferença estatística entre a ocorrência de picada seca e o sexo da serpente. O comprimento rostro cloacal das serpentes nos casos leves e moderados foram 40,5cm e nos casos severos 99cm. Necrose foi mais comum nos dedos dos pés e das mãos (4,8 por cento) em comparação com outras regiões do corpo (1,8 por cento). Houve diferença estatística entre a gravidade e o intervalo de tempo entre a picada e a admissão hospitalar superior a seis horas. Encontramos uma associação significativa entre gengivorragia e incoagulabilidade sanguínea. Nos acidentes causados por serpentes adultas, a necrose foi mais frequente (7,2 por cento) quando comparado aos acidentes causados por serpentes filhotes (1 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Neste estudo, destaca-se a associação entre os dados epidemiológicos e biológicos em relação à evolução do quadro clínico nos acidentes botrópicos, contribuindo para a melhoria da assistência nos acidentes ofídicos.

Comparação dos acidentes causados por Bothropoides jararaca (Serpentes: Viperidae) com e sem envenenamento atendidos no Hospital Vital Brazil do Instituto Butantan / Comparasion of Bothropoides jararaca bites with and without envenoming treated at the Hospital Brazil of Instituto Butantan

No Brasil, 90% dos acidentes de serpentes peçonhentas são causadas por Bothrops-afin ( Bothrops, Bothropoides, Bothriopsis, Bothrocopias e Rinocerophis), com predominancia nos meses quentes e chuvosos, atingindo principalmente trabalhadores rurais do sexo masculino. Na região sudeste, a serpente peçonhenta mais encontarda são as da espécie Bothropoides jararaca devido ao fato de possuírem grande capacidade adaptativa. Os acidentes são classificados em leve, moderado e grave, porém números desconhecidos de acidentes não causam envenenamento. Este trabalho foi realizado entre 1990 a 2004, no Hospital Vital Brasil, em pacientes picados por Bothropoides jararaca ( n=792) através de prontuários médicos...

In Brazil, 90 % of the venomous snake bites are caused by Bothrops Bothropoides, Bothriopsis, Bothrocopias and Rinocerophis, predominantialy from hot and rainy months. Bothropoides jararaca is widespread in the sout, southeastern and part of northeastern Brazil. Due to the fact they have great adaptative capacity it is the predominate species in São Paulo City and neighborhood. A retrospective study was made in patients bitten by Bothropoides jararaca ( n=792) between 1990 to 2004 in Hospital Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil. The data was obtained from medical records...