Abstract

CASTRILLA³N-ESTRADA, David F.; ACOSTA VA©LEZ, Juan G.; HERNA¡NDEZ-RUIZ, Eder A.  and  ALONSO PALACIO, Luz Marina. Snake poisoning. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2007, vol.23, n.1, pp.96-111. ISSN 0120-5552.

Snake bites are prevalent and related to different activities in the area of tropical regions. Since October 2004, The "Ministerio de Protección Social" from Colombia has declared it as an event of mandatory notification. Recent data has facilitated the understanding of the mechanism of action of different venoms. The local toxicity, hemorrhage, renal damage and hipotensive effects of the Botrhopic venom has been described. As well as the Lachesis's vagal neurotoxicity, the Chrotalis' muscular-neural toxicity, and the Elapidae's palsy effect. These snakes genders are responsible of 99% of snake bites in Colombia, with Bathrops causing 90-95% of cases. The better understanding of the toxicity and the body's response have lead to the publication of management guides including the classification of the bites, according to clinical presentation and laboratory workup (specially coagulation studies). This has also leaded the development of protocols regarding the administration of the neutralizing serum, depending on different presentations, being this the only effective treatment in the case of a systemic envenomation. For these reasons the national availability of the serum must be warranted, as well as its administration, in spite of the early allergic reactions. The Whole Blood Clotting Test, which has been certified nationally in the "Dirección Seccional de Salud de Antioquia" guidelines is also described. This test is a good alternative to guide the management in rural areas. Some recent data about the role of the mastocites in the immune response against the venom is also described, opening new ways to treatment investigations.

Keywords : Snake pisoning; serpent; venom.

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