Envenomation by an opisthoglyphous snake, Erythrolamprus aesculapii (Dipsadidae), in southeastern Brazil

Author(s)

Menegucci, Rafael Costabile ^[1] ; Bernarde, Paulo Sergio ^[2] ; Monteiro, Wuelton Marcelo ^{[3, 4]} ; Neto, Pedro Ferreira ^[3] ; Martins, Marcio ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Projeto Dacnis, Ubatuba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Acre, Ctr Multidisciplinar, Lab Herpetol, Campus Floresta, Cruzeiro Do Sul, AC - Brazil

^[3] Fundacao Med Trop Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estado Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Ecol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical; v. 52, 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Abstract Snakebites by aglyphous or opisthoglyphous snakes are common in Brazil. We report a case of snakebite by the opisthoglyphous Erythrolamprus aesculapii. The victim presented with pain, edema, and bleeding at the bite site, along with erythema, similar to a Bothrops envenomation. In this type of snakebite, if the snake is not brought to the hospital, the victim may receive unnecessary serum therapy, with the risk of adverse reactions to the antivenom. The possibility of reducing after-effects with anti-inflammatory drugs and early antibiotic therapy for secondary infection need to be further investigated, preferably in multicenter studies, while observing good clinical practice. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/21259-8 - Community structure of amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals in the Cerrado: the role of local and regional factors
• Grantee: Marcio Roberto Costa Martins
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants