Animais peçonhentos do estado do Piauí: epidemiologia dos acidentes e lista de espécies de importância médica

Abstract

Cases of poisoning have increased considerably in Brazil, however for state of Piauí only two studies were carried out so far. Here, we investigated, through the notification forms, the epidemiological characteristics of cases of poisoning that occurred during 11 years in a macro-region of Picos, state of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil. Furthermore, we also check whether the species recorded in the notification forms correspond to the species that occur in the region. We recorded 1.249 cases of envenomations, being 41% caused by scorpions, 35% caused by snakes and 24% caused by spiders. Most cases (arachnids = 99%, scorpions = 93%, snakes = 52%) there was no identification of species causing the accident. Most of the victims of the accidents (66%) were male individuals between 18 and 24 years from rural areas, stung during field activities in the rainy season (January-March). The most common injury sites were the lower limbs (37%) and the majority (53%) of the accidents was the mild type. This is the first study that reports the epidemiological profile of a series of envenomations (including arachnids and snakes) during 11 years of records in the state of Piauí. Furthermore, we also present the first list of species of arachnids and snakes of medical importance to the state. Our results demonstrate that there was a high incidence of accidents by venomous animals in the Center-South region of the state, most of the records was not notified in SINAN, most records does not present the identification of the species responsible for the accident, and there are records whose species was incorrectly identified.

Epidemiological survey of accidents with venomous animals treated at the Regional Hospital of Bom Jesus, Piauí, Northeast Brazil

“…In this study, it was observed that most accidents were caused by scorpions, followed by snakes. Likewise, two different studies conducted by Cantinho et al from 2007 to 2014 and by Benício et al from 1999 to 2010 on accidents across different regions of the State of Piauí, revealed a remarkable incidence of scorpion-related accidents, followed by snakes [21,22] . In a study in the city of Palmas, Brazil, it was also observed a higher frequency of reported accidents caused by scorpions and snakes [23] .…”