Injuries caused by the venomous catfish pintado and cachara (Pseudoplatystoma genus) in fishermen of the Pantanal region in Brazil

Giuliano N.R De Aquino,Celso C De Souza,Vidal Haddad Junior,José Sabino

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201620150336

Giuliano N.R De Aquino, Celso C De Souza + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201620150336

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Abstract

the fishing activity throughout the Upper Paraguay River Basin has huge financial and biological importance. This retrospective study investigated the occurrence of injuries caused by fish of the Pseudoplatystoma genus (spotted catfish or pintado and striped catfish or cachara) in professional fishermen of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul State. we collected information through a questionnaire, showing that fishing is carried out by workers with low level of education, mainly adults or seniors with low financial gains. in Miranda town, 126 of 315 fishermen were interviewed and 38 individuals reported injuries (30.16%). In Corumbá town, 355 of 627 fishermen were interviewed, and 111 (56,61%) reported injuries. The lacerated lesions were the most common, associate with edema, erythema, radiating pain to the root of the limb, paresthesias and local necrosis. More rarely, they reported the occurrence of fever, cardiac arrhythmias and cold sweating. These manifestations may be associated with late secondary infections or envenomations caused by the toxins in the stingers of the fish. Many questionable and inappropriate treatments are used, sometimes aggravating the injuries. the freshwater professional fishermen need guidance on first aid measures and prevention of accidents caused by these venomous fish.

Highlights

Since the dawn of Humanity, fisheries resources are considered a source of great food importance, providing employment and income to those engaged in the activity, these workers are susceptibleGiuliano N.R. de Aquino, Celso C. de Souza, Vidal Haddad Junior and José SabinoHaddad Jr and Martins 2006, Silva 2009, Silva et al 2010).Some Brazilian freshwater fish can cause serious injuries in humans
The venoms of various species of Siluriforms have action analogous to massive liberations of prostaglandins and acetylcholine and can cause severe pain, skin necrosis and ischemia in the compromised area (Williamson 1995, Junqueira 2006). These venoms are labile and have the effects attenuated by immersion in hot water water for 30 to 90 minutes, which provokes decreasing of the pain (Haddad Jr 2003, 2008, Haddad Jr and Lastoria 2005, Haddad Jr and Martins 2006)
This study investigates the occurrence of injuries caused by Pseudoplatystoma fish in the professional fishermen in the Corumbá and Miranda towns in the Pantanal region (Figure 2), identifying their causes, predisposing factors, aspects of the injuries and physical and socioeconomic consequences

Summary

Introduction

Since the dawn of Humanity, fisheries resources are considered a source of great food importance, providing employment and income to those engaged in the activity, these workers are susceptibleGiuliano N.R. de Aquino, Celso C. de Souza, Vidal Haddad Junior and José SabinoHaddad Jr and Martins 2006, Silva 2009, Silva et al 2010).Some Brazilian freshwater fish can cause serious injuries in humans. The venoms of various species of Siluriforms have action analogous to massive liberations of prostaglandins and acetylcholine and can cause severe pain, skin necrosis and ischemia in the compromised area (Williamson 1995, Junqueira 2006). These venoms are labile and have the effects attenuated by immersion in hot water (approximately 50° C) water for 30 to 90 minutes, which provokes decreasing of the pain (Haddad Jr 2003, 2008, Haddad Jr and Lastoria 2005, Haddad Jr and Martins 2006). A percentage of 24% of professional fishermen of the Pantanal region cited anterior injuries by stingers of Pseudoplatystoma (Silva 2009, Silva et al 2010)

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