title: Accidents caused by Bothrops and Bothropoides in the State of Paraiba: epidemiological and clinical aspects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bothrops and Bothropoides snakes cause 70% of the ophidic accidents in Brazil. The species that cause ophidic accidents in State of Paraíba are Bothropoides erythromelas, Bothrops leucurus and Bothropoides neuwiedi.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective and transverse study, following a quantitative approach of accidents involving Bothrops and Bothropoides admitted to the Toxicological Assistance and Information Centers of Campina Grande and João Pessoa (Ceatox-CG and Ceatox-JP), aimed at identifying the epidemiological and clinical profile of such accidents. All of the patients admitted had medical diagnoses and were monitored at Ceatox-CG or Ceatox-JP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The genera Bothrops and Bothropoides caused 91.7% of the ophidic accidents reported. Snake bites were frequent in men (75.1%), rural workers (65.1%), literate individuals (69%) between 11 and 20 years-old (21.7%), and toes the most common area attacked (52.7%). Most (86.6%) patients were admitted within 6 hours after the accident/bite, with a predominance of mild cases (64.6%). The annual occurrence in Paraíba was 5.5 accidents/100,000 inhabitants and lethality was 0.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive changes in the profiles of these accidents were verified, such as the non-application of inadequate solutions, including the use of tourniquet, coffee grounds, garlic, suction and/or cutting the bitten area. Moreover, the Itinerant Laboratory project, linked to Paraíba State University in partnership with Ceatox-CG, has contributed positively, providing several cities of the state with information regarding the prevention of accidents involving venomous animals. The local press has also contributed, reporting the educational work developed by the centers.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Graduate Program, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil. fagnerbiologo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Fagner Neves
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Monalisa Taveira
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.forename: Isabel Cristina Oliveira de
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Sayonara Maria Lia
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Fook
authors.forename: Helder Neves de
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017837:Bothrops; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014505:Urban Population; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D014757:Viper Venoms