Oral cavity bleeding following snakebite: A case report

Mirlany Mendes Maciel Oliveira,Jonas Dantas Batista,Larissa Gonçalves Cunha Rios,Daniela Meneses Santos ,Cláudia Jordão Silva ,Lorena Mendes Almeida ,Darceny Zanetta‐Barbosa ,Marcelo Caetano Parreira Da Silva ,Felipe Gomes Gonçalves Peres Lima

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i1.11505

Mirlany Mendes Maciel Oliveira, Jonas Dantas Batista + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i1.11505

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Abstract

Snakebite is an important public health problem because of its incidence, morbidity, and mortality. It may be related to climatic factors and rural habits. Snakes of the genus Bothrops are responsible for most snakebites in Brazil. The venom of these snakes has peculiar characteristics, with important proteolytic, coagulant, and hemorrhagic actions, leading to local and systemic alterations. Initial manifestations include local tissue injury, pain, swelling, bleeding, and bullous lesions that can progress to abscesses or tissue necrosis. Systemic manifestations should be carefully evaluated especially for the probability of hemorrhagic events such as epistaxis, gingivorrhagia, hematuria, and hemoptysis. Knowing the clinical manifestations of snakebites, as well as the adequate treatment, is essential. Efficient and rapid diagnosis can minimize victims’ injuries and the probability of death. The present study reports the clinical case of bleeding at a distant site from the initial site of venom inoculation after bite by a Bothrops snake, emphasizing the therapeutic approach and differential diagnosis in these cases.

Highlights

Snakebite is a public health problem because of its morbidity and mortality and high incidence
Injuries by venomous animals have been included in the list of tropical diseases neglected by the World Health Organization (WHO), and it is estimated that there are 1,841,000 cases of envenomation annually worldwide, resulting in 94,000 deaths (Gutiérrez et al, 2019)
Snakes of the genus Bothrops are responsible for most snakebites, and this higher prevalence may be related to the geographic distribution and aggressive behavior of these snakes (Albuquerque et al, 2013; Costa et al, 2019; Gonçalves et al, 2014; Sgrignolli et al, 2011)

Summary

Introduction

Snakebite is a public health problem because of its morbidity and mortality and high incidence. The most common sites of venom inoculation are the lower limbs, especially feet or legs (Albuquerque et al.,2013; Bucaretchi et al, 2001; Costa et al, 2019). Snakes of the genus Bothrops are responsible for most snakebites, and this higher prevalence may be related to the geographic distribution and aggressive behavior of these snakes (Albuquerque et al, 2013; Costa et al, 2019; Gonçalves et al, 2014; Sgrignolli et al, 2011). Due to the habit of killing the animal by crushing its head after venom inoculation, identification of its genus is difficult, and the treatment is based on the victim’s signs and symptoms together with analysis of laboratory tests (Brasil, 2001)

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