Histopathological Findings in the Viscera of Malformed Neotropical Viperids.

Congenital malformations (CMs) or developmental abnormalities are pathological processes defined as morphological defects that originate during embryonic stages. A wide variety of CMs is observed in reptiles, most of which are incompatible with normal life. Characterization of CMs and their pathogenesis are of great importance for the conservation of reptiles, including neotropical viperids (NVs). External CMs are often reported in these species, but little is known about concomitant microscopical findings in the viscera of malformed individuals. In order to partially fill in this gap in knowledge, we aimed to investigate and characterize histopathological findings in the viscera of malformed NVs, jararacas (Bothrops jararaca) and South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus), correlating these findings with features of external CMs. From 78 malformed snakes analysed, 100% (19/19) of rattlesnakes and 98.3% (58/59) of jararacas had histopathological changes in the viscera. Liver and/or kidney fatty degeneration was the most common finding in malformed and control animals. Renal glomerulocystic and tubular disease was significantly correlated with brachygnathia (P < 0.05) in jararacas. These results add to the body of knowledge of snake pathology and demonstrate some associations between external CMs and visceral histopathological findings, some of which could have implications for individual survival.

MICROCOMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC, MORPHOMETRIC, AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC ASSESSMENT OF CONGENITAL BONE MALFORMATIONS IN TWO NEOTROPICAL VIPERIDS.

Congenital malformations have been reported in all classes of vertebrates and may be a determinant of life span and survival. In reptiles, the incidence of congenital malformations can be associated with genetic and environmental causes, including pollution. The characterization of pathological processes involved in the development of congenital malformations of bone in snakes is rare in the literature, but is of great relevance in the field of reptile conservation and environmental health. We describe congenital bone lesions in 50 newborn jararaca (Bothrops jararaca) and 26 South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus) born from wild-caught pregnant females in Southeastern Brazil. Lesions were evaluated by morphometric quantitative analysis, x-ray microtomography, and histopathologic descriptive analysis. Morphometric analysis showed that jararaca presented more severe axial lesions (kyphosis, scoliosis, and kyphoscoliosis) than rattlesnakes. Female rattlesnakes presented more severe axial lesions than did males. In rattlesnakes, spinal deformities were more frequently diagnosed in the caudal segment of the body. We present x-ray microtomographic assessments and images of malformed snakes (n=9) and characterized novel malformations, such as the agenesis of frontal, parietal, and supraoccipital bones in a jararaca specimen. Histopathologic findings included vertebral body fusion, myositis, coagulation necrosis, and disorganization of periaxial muscle fibers. The new methods and results presented in this study will be useful and informative for future research in pathology, teratology, embryology, and ecotoxicology in snakes.

Malformations in neotropical viperids: qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Malformations can occur in all living species, but there is little information about anomalies that occur in snakes and their frequency. This study assessed malformations in newborn South American pit vipers (Bothrops jararaca) and South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) from wild captured pregnant females (240 and 35 litters, respectively). Newborn snakes were measured, weighed, sexed and studied grossly and by radiography for the presence of malformations. Ninety-five malformed pit vipers were identified from 4,087 births (2.3%), while 36 malformed rattlesnakes were found from 324 births (11.1%). Spinal abnormalities were the most common in both species, followed by fusion of ventral scales. Pit vipers showed a greater range of malformations including schistosomia (22.1%), kinked tail (13.7%), bicephaly (3.1%) and hydrocephaly (2.1%).

Emponzoñamiento ofídico en los Altos Mirandinos enero 1997 a enero 1998 / Envenoming ophidic and in Altos Mirandinos january 1997 a january 1998

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 34 pacientes de enero 1997 a enero 1998, que fueron admitidos en la emergencia del Hospital "Dr. Victorino Santaella R.", con el diagnóstico de emponzoñamiento ofídico por Bothrops y/o Crotalus para clasificar y comparar las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes afectados. Se encontró predominio de jóvenes masculinos con empozoñamiento por Bothrops y con época de mayor riesgo entre julio y diciembre que se corresponde con la época de lluvia. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron infección local, necrósis, un episodio de insuficiencia renal aguda y prolongación de los tiempos de coagulación. El tratamiento de elección fue suero antíofidico polivalente, analgésicos y antibiótico. No hubo muertes relacionadas con el empozoñamiento