Crotalic accidents in Brazil: actualities and perspectives
Introduction: Ophidian accidents are neglected events in tropical and in developing countries, including Brazil. Serpents of the Crotalus genus (rattlesnakes) are those that produce the highest case-fatality in the country. Purpose: to address the main aspects of the accident caused by Crotalus,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Associação Médica de Minas Gerais
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Revista Médica de Minas Gerais |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.rmmg.org/artigo/detalhes/3882 |
| _version_ | 1818477809725603840 |
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| author | Hammer, Fernanda Martins Feio, Renato Neves Siqueira-Batista, Rodrigo |
| author_facet | Hammer, Fernanda Martins Feio, Renato Neves Siqueira-Batista, Rodrigo |
| author_sort | Hammer, Fernanda Martins |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Ophidian accidents are neglected events in tropical and
in developing countries, including Brazil. Serpents of the Crotalus genus
(rattlesnakes) are those that produce the highest case-fatality in the country.
Purpose: to address the main aspects of the accident caused by Crotalus,
with emphasis on the snakes biology, the clinical approach to snake bites
and the therapeutic properties of the venom of these animals. Methods:
literature review with a defined search strategy, using the PubMed, LILACS
and SciELO databases. Results: Inoculation of crotalic venom produces
discrete local signs, but systemic repercussions can occur, especially
neurological alterations and acute renal failure. Laboratory evaluation is
important to help distinguish from other ophidian accidents and to estimate
the severity of the condition. Anticrotalic serum must be administered as
soon as possible, based on the estimated amount of inoculated venom. Most
of the morbid events occur in the rainy season (higher temperature), mainly
affecting young men who work in rural areas. The adoption of protective
measures and health education, aimed at the population most commonly
involved, are relevant strategies for preventing and reducing the number of
cases. In addition, crotalic venoms have antimicrobial actions, antiplatelets
functions and ophthalmological applicability (strabismus). Conclusion:
Knowledge of the different aspects of crotalic injuries is essential for an
adequate diagnostic and therapeutic approach to such morbid conditions.
The pharmacological properties of crotalic venom components should be
better investigated in the next few years, given the possibilities of their use
for the treatment of different human diseases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T09:41:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c459b59623094f358ee62853ed8d20a1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0103-880X 2238-3182 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T09:41:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | Associação Médica de Minas Gerais |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista Médica de Minas Gerais |
| spelling | doaj.art-c459b59623094f358ee62853ed8d20a12022-12-22T01:53:58ZengAssociação Médica de Minas GeraisRevista Médica de Minas Gerais0103-880X2238-31822022-03-0132e-3220210.5935/2238-3182.2022e32202Crotalic accidents in Brazil: actualities and perspectivesHammer, Fernanda Martins0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6289-4930Feio, Renato Neves1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3607-2896Siqueira-Batista, Rodrigo 2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3661-1570Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga, Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, BrasilFaculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga, Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, BrasilIntroduction: Ophidian accidents are neglected events in tropical and in developing countries, including Brazil. Serpents of the Crotalus genus (rattlesnakes) are those that produce the highest case-fatality in the country. Purpose: to address the main aspects of the accident caused by Crotalus, with emphasis on the snakes biology, the clinical approach to snake bites and the therapeutic properties of the venom of these animals. Methods: literature review with a defined search strategy, using the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases. Results: Inoculation of crotalic venom produces discrete local signs, but systemic repercussions can occur, especially neurological alterations and acute renal failure. Laboratory evaluation is important to help distinguish from other ophidian accidents and to estimate the severity of the condition. Anticrotalic serum must be administered as soon as possible, based on the estimated amount of inoculated venom. Most of the morbid events occur in the rainy season (higher temperature), mainly affecting young men who work in rural areas. The adoption of protective measures and health education, aimed at the population most commonly involved, are relevant strategies for preventing and reducing the number of cases. In addition, crotalic venoms have antimicrobial actions, antiplatelets functions and ophthalmological applicability (strabismus). Conclusion: Knowledge of the different aspects of crotalic injuries is essential for an adequate diagnostic and therapeutic approach to such morbid conditions. The pharmacological properties of crotalic venom components should be better investigated in the next few years, given the possibilities of their use for the treatment of different human diseases.http://www.rmmg.org/artigo/detalhes/3882crotalusrattlesnakecrotoxin |
| spellingShingle | Hammer, Fernanda Martins Feio, Renato Neves Siqueira-Batista, Rodrigo Crotalic accidents in Brazil: actualities and perspectives Revista Médica de Minas Gerais crotalus rattlesnake crotoxin |
| title | Crotalic accidents in Brazil: actualities and perspectives |
| title_full | Crotalic accidents in Brazil: actualities and perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Crotalic accidents in Brazil: actualities and perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Crotalic accidents in Brazil: actualities and perspectives |
| title_short | Crotalic accidents in Brazil: actualities and perspectives |
| title_sort | crotalic accidents in brazil actualities and perspectives |
| topic | crotalus rattlesnake crotoxin |
| url | http://www.rmmg.org/artigo/detalhes/3882 |
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