Snake bites accidents caused by Bothrops moojeni: report of 37 cases

Abstract

During a period of 5 years (October 1982 - September 1987), 37 cases of snake bites caused by Bothrops moojeni in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo (Southeast Brazil) were studied. Antivenom therapy were indicated in 34 cases with clear evidence of envenomation. Epidemiological aspects related to age, sex. accident time, victims activities, localization of bites and first attitude of the victims after bite were showed without any great difference when compared from other sites of Brazil. The clinical picture have revealed pain and swelling (initial evaluation: mild, moderate and severe) in 100%, non-clotting blood (beside test) in 72.7% and systemic bleeding in 5.8%. Complications were described in 29.4% and appeared just in cases where the initial evaluation were classified into moderate or severe. They were described as death, compartment syndrome, necrosis, infection and muscular retractions, and cannot be prevented even using large amount of antivenom 3 hours after accidents. When compared with the snake bites caused by Bothrops jararaca (the most common in Brazil), Bothrops moojeni accidents have produced higher incidence of non-clotting blood and local swelling/necrosis.