Secondary infection profile after snakebite treated at a tertiary referral center in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Bothrops envenomations can often lead to complications, such as secondary infections. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with snakebite. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were included. Clindamycin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic, with 105 patients (82.7%) receiving it as the primary antibiotic regimen. In 31 (24.4%) individuals, the first-choice antibiotic did not cease the infection. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary infection is an important complication resulting from snakebites, and evidence-based management of this complication can contribute to better clinical outcomes.

Secondary infection profile after snakebite treated at a tertiary referral center in the Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT Background: Bothrops envenomations can often lead to complications, such as secondary infections. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with snakebite. Results: A total of 127 patients were included. Clindamycin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic, with 105 patients (82.7%) receiving it as the primary antibiotic regimen. In 31 (24.4%) individuals, the first-choice antibiotic did not cease the infection. Conclusions: Secondary infection is an important complication resulting from snakebites, and evidence-based management of this complication can contribute to better clinical outcomes.

Envenomations by coral snakes in an Amazonian metropolis: Ecological, epidemiological and clinical aspects.

Envenomation by coral snakes represents a little known burden in Brazilian Amazonia. So far, details on clinical and epidemiological aspects remain obscure in the region. We gathered data from medical charts and from the scientific collection of snakes from Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, finding 26 cases of envenomation by five species of Micrurus in Manaus region, between 1987 and 2018. They represent 0.7% of the snakebites treated in the hospital since the records began, in 1979. Micrurus lemniscatus was responsible for most of the bites (10), followed by M. hemprichii (five), M. spixii (three), M. surinamensis (three) and M. averyi (one). There was no difference between the sexes of the snakes that caused bites. Patients were mostly males, and most of the cases were reported in urban areas. Bites predominated in dry season, and there was a clear geographical segregation among species. We describe seven cases of envenomation, three mild and four severe, all of which evolved to cure. Paresthesia (six), pain (five) and edema (four) were the most common local symptoms. Systemic features such as dyspnea/shallow breath (four), palpebral ptosis (four), blurred vision (three), dysarthria (three) and difficulty to walk (three) were also detected. Two patients bitten by Micrurus sp. and M. hemprichii, showed slight increased serum levels of creatine kinase (reference level <190 U/L), 1184 U/L and 1229 U/L, respectively, indicative of mild systemic myotoxicity. This is the first report of myotoxic manifestation in the envenomation by M. hemprichii. No patient developed respiratory failure, though one bitten by an adult M. spixii required intubation and mechanical ventilation due to decreased level of consciousness during evolution, probably related to induced sedation caused by concurrent alcohol intoxication. All patients were treated with Brazilian Micrurus antivenom (soro antielapídico, median = 10 vials). Six patients were pretreated intravenously with H1 and H2 antagonists and steroids, with two patients developing early adverse reactions. The median length of hospital stay was four days. Envenomations by coral snakes in Manaus region are clinically severe, but rare and sparsely distributed over time, making the detection of epidemiological and clinical patterns a challenge for public health.

Bad things come in small packages: predicting venom-induced coagulopathy in Bothrops atrox bites using snake ontogenetic parameters

Introduction: Snake venom composition shows significant inter- and intra-species variation. In the case of the viperid species Bothrops atrox, responsible for the majority of snakebites in the Amazon region, geographical and ontogenetic variables affect venom composition, with ecological and medical implications. Previous studies had shown that venom from neonate and juvenile Bothrops specimens have a higher in vitro coagulant activity. The aim of this investigation was to assess the association of clinical outcomes, such as venom-induced coagulopathy and local complications, with B. atrox ontogenetic variables. Methods: This study explored the relationship between some clinical parameters in patients suffering envenomations by B. atrox in the Amazon and several morphometric parameters of the snake specimens causing the bites.Results: There were 248 specimens confirmed as agents of envenomation, mostly female snakes (70.5%) and classified as juveniles (62.7%). Patients bitten by neonates compared to adult snakes [OR=2.70 (95%CI 1.15-6.37); p=.021] and by snakes with white tail tip [OR=1.98 (95%CI 1.15–3.41); p=.013] were more likely to develop coagulopathy. Time from patient admission to the unclottable blood reversion was not affected by the snake gender (p=.214) or age (p=.254). Patients bitten by neonate (p=.024) or juvenile snakes (p<.0001) presented a lower frequency of moderate to severe edema, as compared to those bitten by adult snakes. In agreement with experimental observations, patients bitten by neonates and by snakes with a white tail tip were more likely to develop coagulopathy than those bitten by adult snakes. In contrast, envenomations by adult snakes were associated with a higher incidence of severe local edema. Conclusion: Despite these variations, no difference was observed in the time needed to recover blood clotting in these patients after Bothrops antivenom administration.

"Bad things come in small packages": predicting venom-induced coagulopathy in Bothrops atrox bites using snake ontogenetic parameters

Introduction: Snake venom composition shows significant inter- and intra-species variation. In the case of the viperid species Bothrops atrox, responsible for the majority of snakebites in the Amazon region, geographical and ontogenetic variables affect venom composition, with ecological and medical implications. Previous studies had shown that venom from neonate and juvenile Bothrops specimens have a higher in vitro coagulant activity. The aim of this investigation was to assess the association of clinical outcomes, such as venom-induced coagulopathy and local complications, with B. atrox ontogenetic variables. Methods: This study explored the relationship between some clinical parameters in patients suffering envenomations by B. atrox in the Amazon and several morphometric parameters of the snake specimens causing the bites.Results: There were 248 specimens confirmed as agents of envenomation, mostly female snakes (70.5%) and classified as juveniles (62.7%). Patients bitten by neonates compared to adult snakes [OR=2.70 (95%CI 1.15-6.37); p=.021] and by snakes with white tail tip [OR=1.98 (95%CI 1.15–3.41); p=.013] were more likely to develop coagulopathy. Time from patient admission to the unclottable blood reversion was not affected by the snake gender (p=.214) or age (p=.254). Patients bitten by neonate (p=.024) or juvenile snakes (p<.0001) presented a lower frequency of moderate to severe edema, as compared to those bitten by adult snakes. In agreement with experimental observations, patients bitten by neonates and by snakes with a white tail tip were more likely to develop coagulopathy than those bitten by adult snakes. In contrast, envenomations by adult snakes were associated with a higher incidence of severe local edema. Conclusion: Despite these variations, no difference was observed in the time needed to recover blood clotting in these patients after Bothrops antivenom administration.