title: Envenomation by Micrurus coral snakes in the Brazilian Amazon region: report of two cases.
abstract: Two cases of proven coral snake bites were reported in Belém, Pará State, Brazil. The first case was a severe one caused by Micrurus surinamensis. The patient required mechanical ventilation due to acute respiratory failure. The second case showed just mild signs of envenomation caused by Micrurus filiformis. Both patients received specific Micrurus antivenom and were discharged without further complications. Coral snake bites are scarcely reported in the Amazon region and there is a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, varying from extremely mild to those which may rapidly lead to death if the patient is not treated as soon as possible.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil. pepardal@ufpa.br
authors.forename: Pedro Pereira de Oliveira
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Pardal
authors.forename: Joseana Silva de Oliveira
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pardal
authors.forename: Maria Apolônia da Costa
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gadelha
authors.forename: Líliam da Silva
authors.initials: Lda S
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Darlan Tavares
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia da Costa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Prudente
authors.forename: Hui Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*; D017815:Elapidae; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D004546:Elapid Venoms