Absence of ectoparasites in Boa constrictor amarali (Squamata: Boidae) from anthropic environments of the Capivari River Basin, São Paulo state, Brazil / Ausência de ectoparasitas em jibóias (Boa constrictor amarali) (Squamata: Boidae) de ambientes antrópicos da Bacia do Rio Capivari, estado de São Paulo, Brasil

As part of the municipal Epidemiology Surveilance Program of Brazilian Spotted Fever of Monte Morcounty, São Paulo state, 55 free living boas (Boa constrictor amarali) were captured and inspected during a 36 months period, for identificationof their ectoparasiticfauna, after notification of their presence by local citizens whose found the animals at a random basis. The weight of boas ranged from 0.1 to 5.75 kg for the 29 captured males (mean 2.56 kg) and 0.1 to 6.9 kg for the 24 captured females (mean 3.49 kg). The length ranged from 0.5 to 1.95 cm for males and 0.5 to 1.85 cm for females, with averages of 1.47 and 1.45respectively. Nomacroscopic ectoparasite was found on the inspected individuals. Since boas came from disturbed natural areas, it is possible that the animals are profiting from the anthropic environment, occupying an inadequate environment to maintain their natural populations of ectoparasites.

Como parte do programa municipal de Vigilância Zoosanitária e Epidemiológica da Febre Maculosa Brasileira do município de Monte Mor, situado na região metropolitana de Campinas, estado de São Paulo, durante um período de 36 meses, foram inspecionadas 55 jibóias (Boa constrictor amarali) de vida livre, capturadas pelo Serviço de Controle de Zoonoses para a identificação da fauna de ectoparasitas, após a notificação de moradores da cidade que encontravam os animais ao acaso. O peso das jibóias variou de 0,1 a 5,75 kg para os 29 machos (média de 2,56 kg) e de 0,1 a 6,9 kg para as 24 fêmeas (média de 3,49 kg). O comprimento variou de 0,5 a 1,95 cm para os machos e de 0,5 a 1,85 cm para as fêmeas, com médias respectivamente de 1,47 e 1,45 para machos e fêmeas. Em nenhum dos exemplares capturados foi registrada a presença de ectoparasitas macroscópicos. Por serem provenientes de áreas naturais alteradas, é provável que as jibóias estejam se beneficiando do meio antrópico, ocupando locais inadequados para manter as populações naturais de seus ectoparasitas.

Epidemiología de la mordedura por ofidio en pacientes pediátricos / Epidemiology of snake bites among the Mexican pediatric population

Introducción. En el Hospital General de Tampico donde se realizó este estudio se atienden muchos casos de mordedura por ofidio, pero poco se ha escrito del comportamiento epidemiológico, clínico y de tratamiento en niños. Métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, en el cual se analizaron los ingresos pediátricos por mordedura por ofidio de abril de 1994 a diciembre de 2006. Se revisaron variables como: sitio anatómico afectado, grado de envenenamiento, dosis de faboterápico, complicaciones, hora del accidente y tiempo transcurrido. Resultados. De 610 pacientes, 171 (28%) fueron niños; 65% del género masculino; en 70.7% la edad fue de 6 a 15 años; los miembros pélvicos fueron los más afectados (55.5%); la mayor incidencia se observó en horario vespertino (47.9%) y la época del año donde hubo más accidentes por mordedura de ofidio fue en primavera-verano (94%). La intoxicación grave (grado III-IV) se observó en 121 casos (77.7%); 70.6% requirió más de 40 frascos de faboterápico; con hospitalización de 6 a 10 días; 21% presentó infecciones locales; y en 47% se retardó la atención en más de 24 horas. Conclusiones. Los accidentes por mordedura de ofidio en pediatría tienen incidencia baja, comparado con la de los adultos; los niños son más susceptible de presentar intoxicación más importante y sus complicaciones son de mayor gravedad, con necesidad de más estancia hospitalaria, requiriendo de una cantidad mayor de faboterápico.

Introduction. In the General Hospital of Tampico, a significant number of cases of snake bites were reported. Nevertheless, until now, there have been no reports about the clinical and epidemiological behavior and treatment protocol for accidental poisoning in children. Methods. Pediatric files with a diagnosis of accidental poisoning from April 1994 until December 2006 were analyzed. Variables analyzed were body region affected, classification of the degree of poisoning, dose of fabotherapy administered, complications, time of the accidental poisoning and time elapsed until treatment. Results. Of 610 patients, 171 (28%) were pediatric cases with the majority (65%) being male. The highest incidence (70.7%) was reported for the 6- to 15-year age group. The pelvic extremities are among the most affected anatomic site (55.5%). The highest incidence occurred during the evening (47.9%) and during the Spring/Summer months (94%). The most severe degrees of intoxication (III-IV) were reported in 121 cases (77.7%), and 70.6% of the cases required >40 flasks of fabotherapy. Average hospital stay was from 6 to 10 days. Local infections were the main complication in 21% of the patients and 47% of the patients arrived at the hospital after a delay of >24 h. Conclusions. Snake bites in pediatric patients have a low incidence (28%) as compared to the adult population but demonstrate a greater severity of intoxication due to the increase of the concentration of poison in a child with lower body weight. Complications are more serious, requiring a longer hospital stay. Likewise, use of a higher amount of fabotherapy is required.