title: [Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of snakebites in Rio Branco, Acre].
abstract: This study aimed to determine the clinical epidemiological profile of the snake bites attended at the reference hospital of Acre. One hundred-forty four patients were studied prospectively, from January to December 2002. One hundred-thirteen (78.5%) cases were classified as accidents by venomous snakes. The genera Bothrops, Lachesis and Micrurus were responsible, respectively, for 75.7%, 2.1% e 0.7% cases. The accidents predominated in males (78.5%), rural workers (51.4%) and between 10 and 29 years old (43.8%). The distribution according to the severity of poisoning by genera Bothrops was: moderate (48.6%), mild (31.2%) or severe (20.2%). Two cases of Bothrops accident did not receive serum therapy. However, the antivenom was administered in twenty-three patients without envenoming. In conclusion, the results obtained were different of the observed by another authors with respect to the severity of accidents and suitable treatment.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC. epmoreno@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Edna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Marcony
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Queiroz-Andrade
authors.forename: Rejâne Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lira-da-Silva
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tavares-Neto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017837:Bothrops; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000506:poisoning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms