SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.3 issue1CASE REPORT: ACTIVE PROGRESSIVE BASED ON CLINICAL PRACTICE LEARNING (APB-C)THROMBOELASTOGRAPHYGUIDED TRANSFUSION THERAPY IN A PREGNANT PATIENT WITH HEMORRHAGIC DENGUE FEVER HOSPITALIZED IN ICU. CASE REPORT author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • On index processCited by Google
  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO
  • On index processSimilars in Google

Share


Case reports

Print version ISSN 2462-8522

Case reports vol.3 no.1 Bogotá Jan./June 2017

https://doi.org/10.15446/cr.v3n1.58625 

Case reports

ENVENOMATION CAUSED BY THE BITE OF THE SNAKE BOTHRIECHIS SCHLEGELII. REPORT OF TWO CASES IN COLOMBIA

Mario Galofre-Ruiza  * 

a Centro de Información de Seguridad sobre Productos Químicos CISPROQUIM Consejo Colombiano de Seguridad Bogotá D.C. - Colombia


ABSTRACT

The bite by snakes of the Bothriechis genus is common in certain areas of Colombia such as the Coffee-growing Region. Due to their arboreal habits and defensiveness, these snakes usually bite farmers in their upper limbs and face. In Colombia, the incidence of accidents caused by these snakes has not been accurately estimated yet because of deficiencies in recording this type of cases, as well as of the ignorance on this reptile by health personnel working in its area of influence.

This paper describes two cases of bites by B. schlegelii occurred in Colombia during 2015. The first case is about a 55-year-old man who was bitten on the left hand, and subsequently developed paresthesia and edema until the forearm, with no other findings; the patient underwent treatment with polyvalent antivenin from Probiol®, with complete resolution of the event. The second case portrays a 62-year-old man, bitten on the left hand, presenting with emesis, diaphoresis, edema until shoulder, prolonged clotting times, and no bleeding; the patient required eight vials of polyvalent antivenin from Instituto Nacional de Salud (National Institute of Health, Colombia), thereby normalizing clotting times. Complete resolution of the event was achieved.

Keywords: Bothriechis schlegelii; Snake bites; Blood coagulation; Colombia

RESUMEN

La mordedura de serpiente del género Bothriechis es frecuente en regiones de Colombia como el eje cafetero. Debido a sus costumbres arborícolas y su actitud defensiva, por lo general estas serpientes muerden a agricultores en sus miembros superiores y rostro. En Colombia, la incidencia de accidentes provocados por este tipo de serpiente aún no ha sido estimada con exactitud, ya que existen deficiencias en el registro de los mismos, así como desconocimiento de este reptil por parte del personal de salud que trabaja en su área de influencia. En este artículo se presentan dos casos de mordeduras por B. schlegelii ocurridos en Colombia en 2015. El primero, un hombre de 55 años con mordedura en mano izquierda, que desarrolló parestesias y edema hasta antebrazo sin otros hallazgos y que fue sometido a tratamiento con antivipérido polivalente de Probiol®, con resolución completa del evento. Por su parte, el segundo caso es el de un hombre de 62 años que fue mordido en mano izquierda, presentando emesis, diaforesis, edema hasta el hombro y tiempos de coagulación prolongados, sin sangrado; el paciente requirió ocho ampollas de antivipérido polivalente del Instituto Nacional de Salud (Colombia), con lo que se logró normalización de tiempos de coagulación y resolución completa del evento.

Palabras clave: Bothriechis schlegelii; Mordeduras de serpientes; Coagulación sanguínea; Colombia

INTRODUCTION

The name Bothriechis schlegelii derives from the Greek word bothros, which means "pit" and echis, "snake", referring to the loreal pit that is located between the nostrils and eyes on each side of the face, and also after the German zoologist Hermann Schlegel 1.

The length of B. schlegelii, also known as eyelash pit viper, varies between 50 and 120 cm, being females larger than males. The variety of its colors (emerald or dark green, yellow, brown and black), helps it mimic its surroundings. It has prehensile tail, and from two to four small superciliar scales, in the way of "eyelashes". It feeds on baby birds, lizards, frogs and rodents, inhabits tropical forests and corn and coffee crops, at altitudes ranging from 0 to 2600 m; the viper reaches the highest altitude in Colombia 2,3.

In the regions in which it inhabits, it is also known as cabeza de candado, granadilla, víbora de tierra fría, víbora de pestañas, yaruma, veinticuatro, guacamaya, víbora rayo, mortiñera, colgadora and grano de oro (these are different names to refer to this snake in diverse regions of Latin America) 2,4.

B. schlegelii extends from southern Mexico, throughout Central America, to the east of Venezuela, and in the Pacific through Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador and Ecuador 5. In Colombia, it lives in the Pacific and Andean regions, and in the Western, Central and Eastern Ranges. In addition, it can be found from the south to the north of the country, on the border with the Venezuelan Andes, and is endemic in the coffee region 2.

Until epidemiological week 32 in 2016, 2 791 cases of snakebite accidents were reported to Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública (National System of Public Health Surveillance), of which 65.6% corresponded to Bothrops6. However, the number of cases related to snakebites of Bothriechis genus specimens was not certain.

CLINICAL CASES

Case 1

Reason for consultation

55-year-old patient, from Pensilvania, Caldas, who was bitten on the back of the left hand by a 25 cm, thin, triangular head snake during his work in a coffee crop (Figure 1 and 2). The patient denies hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, bleeding disorders or previous surgeries.

Source: Own elaboration based on the data obtained in the study.

Fig 1 Specimen of Bothriechis schlegelii which caused this event, in defensive position. 

Source: Own elaboration based on the data obtained in the study.

Fig 2 Head of the specimen. Multiple scales, vertical pupil and loreal pit can be seen. Note: The specimen was handed over to environmental authorities and returned to its natural habitat. 

Clinical manifestations and physical examination

The patient presented with pain when moving the affected hand, paresthesia and 2cm edema in the right hand, which spread to the left forearm. No fang punctures nor local bleeding were observed (Figure 3).

Source: Own elaboration based on the data obtained in the study.

Fig 3 Appearance of the bite by Bothriechis schlegelii. Edema in the left hand and part of the forearm is shown. 

Laboratory tests

Complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and coagulation tests were performed and no alterations were found. Total CPK was not determined.

Treatment

First, the patient was administered intravenous fluids, analgesia with tramadol, and tetanus prophylaxis (after confirming normal coagulation tests). Then, he was referred to a nearby hospital where three vials of polyvalent antiven-om Probiol® were administered intravenously; afterwards, the patient developed fever, which was controlled with acetaminophen. The pain and edema decreased and, finally, he was discharged after two days of observation.

Case 2

Reason for consultation

62-year-old man, from Fresno, Tolima, who was bitten on the third finger of the left hand during agricultural work by a thin snake, known in the area as "cabeza de candado (head lock)"(Figure 4 and 5). He denies hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, bleeding disorders or previous surgeries.

Source: Own elaboration based on the data obtained in the study.

Fig 4 Bothriechis schlegelii. Triangular head. 

Source: Own elaboration based on the data obtained in the study.

Fig 5 Bothriechis schlegelii. Prehensile tail. Note: The specimen was sacrificed before consultation with the attending physician. 

Clinical manifestations and physical examination

The patient was admitted with pain in the left hand, edema of 1 cm in the right hand, paresthesia in the left shoulder, emesis and diaphoresis (Figure 6).

Source: Own elaboration based on the data obtained in the study.

Fig 6 Appearance of bothriechis schlegelii bite. Edema in the left hand. 

Laboratory tests

The following tests were performed: unaltered blood count and prolonged prothrom-bin time, and partial thromboplastin time. Total CPK was not determined.

Treatment

The patient received intravenous fluids, analgesia and six vials of polyvalent antivenin produced by Instituto Nacional de Salud intravenously, without adverse reactions. After finding an alteration in clotting, the patient was given two additional vials of polyvalent antivenin, for a total of eight, and was referred to a third level hospital level in Ibagué. In the referral hospital, the patient's condition improved, and coagulation tests were normal 48 hours after the event; finally, he was discharged after 72 hours of observation.

DISCUSSION

The venom of B. schlegelii consists, mostly, of phospholipase A2, followed by metalloproteinases, bradykinin potentiating peptides, Kazal type proteinase inhibitor, serine proteinases, L-amino acid oxidase and cysteinerich secretory proteins (CRISPs), therefore, its properties are hypotensive, edema-forming, procoagulant, myotoxic, necrotizing and hemorrhagic 7.

When dealing with bites by a Bothriechis snake, assessing the severity of the bite through the clinical grading adapted by Otero is important 8, which also serves to determine the amount of antivenin to use.

The grades presented by Otero 8 are: Grade 1, absent, only minimal pain; Grade 2, mild, presence of edema (<4 cm) that compromises one or two segments of the bitten limb, ecchymosis, scarce bleeding with normal coagulation or incoagulable blood; Grade 3, moderate, with edema (> 4 cm) that compromises three segments of the bitten limb, blisters, local incoagulable bleeding or presence of systemic hemorrhage; Grade 4, severe, presence of edema beyond the bitten limb, necrosis, compartment syndrome, local hemorrhage with incoagulable blood, systemic hemorrhage (including brain hemorrhage), hypotension or shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, renal failure and multiple organ dysfunction. According to this, the two cases were considered as mild.

The symptoms manifested by the patient in the first case -localized pain and progressive edema- correspond to the initial symptoms caused by the bite of this snake, which in some cases may be accompanied by hemorrhagic blisters, itching, bruising and necrosis 9,10. In Colombia, severe poisoning by Bothrops asper, Bothrops punctatus, Porthidium nasutum and Bothriechis schlegelii bite has been characterized and includes local necrosis, systemic and local bleeding, hypotension and renal failure 11.

In the second case, although no marked local symptoms were observed, there was a significant commitment of clotting, which can be explained by two reasons: the direct inoculum of poison inside a blood vessel, and the presence of metalloproteinases in the protein composition of the poison, because their concentration in the venom of B. schlegelii (17.7%) is lower compared to that of B. lateralis (55.1%). This specimen has shown a wide range of biological activities, such as hemorrhagic fibrinogenolytic degradation of components in the extracellular matrix, and activation of prothrombin and factor X, resulting in extensive local tissue damage and systemic bleeding 12,13.

TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Appropriate initial measures for such events include complete medical history; cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological evaluation; intravenous fluids in a limb other than the affected one; bite site antisepsis; gastric protection and oral rest due to the risk of bleeding; prophylaxis for tetanus with tetanus toxoid when coagulation times are normal or normalized after treatment; broad spectrum antibiotic therapy in case of documented infection, and analgesia with opioids. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided 14.

Currently, three types of antivenins are available in Colombia: one manufactured by Instituto Nacional de Salud, one manufactured by Laboratory Probiol® produced in Colombia, and another manufactured by Bioclon Institute of Mexico. The first two act against the venom of B. schlegelii and, according to their availability, should be used taking into account possible adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis, serum sickness, acute renal failure or pyrogenic reactions, which are treated with corticosteroids if they are mild to moderate, or adrenaline if anaphylactic shock occurs 2,8.

The polyvalent antivenin produced by Bioclon Institute of Mexico has also been used to treat this type of envenomation; also, it showed that it can reverse the procoagulant effect of the venom of B. schlegelii, as well as the polyvalent serum antivenin produced by Instituto Clodomiro Picado in Costa Rica 15.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the correct classification of the severity of envenomation cases, the accurate identification of the causative specimens, the adequate dose and the quality of the antivenin used, a satisfactory outcome was achieved in both patients.

B. schlegelii bite produces poisoning, but this fact is underestimated in Colombia, partly because of the ignorance that health personnel have of this snake and because of the characteristics of their venom. Accurate diagnosis and specific treatment with polyvalent antivenin are crucial to prevent further morbidity in these patients.

REFERENCES

1. Arteaga A, Bustamante L, Guayasamin JM. The amphibians and reptiles of Mindo. Quito: Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica; 2013 [cited 2016 Dec 27]. Available from: Available from: https://goo.gl/kGlJ19 . [ Links ]

2. Charry H. Aspectos biomédicos del accidente Bothrópico. In: Memorias del Primer Simposio de Toxinología Clínica "César Gómez Villegas". Bogotá: Laboratorios Probiol Ltda. Facultad de Medicina, Fundación Universitaria San Martín; 2006 [cited 2016 Dec 27]. p. 1-24. Available from: Available from: https://goo.gl/MIuhQD . [ Links ]

3. Vásquez C, Avendaño Ch. Manual para la identificación, prevención y tratamiento de mordeduras de serpientes venenosas en Centro América, Volumen I: Guatemala. Washington D.C.: Organización Panamericana de la Salud-OPS, Organización Mundial de la Salud-OMS; 2009. [ Links ]

4. Ayerbe-González S, Rodríguez-Buitrago JR. Accidente Ofídico Bothrópico. In: Ministerio de la Protección Social de Colombia. Guías para el manejo de Urgencias Toxicológicas. Bogotá: Ministerio de Protección Social de Colombia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia; 2010 [cited 2016 Dec 27]. p 277-80. Available from: Available from: https://goo.gl/uXNVsT . [ Links ]

5. Toxinology Department, Women's & Children's Hospital. Snakebite Management Overview Document. North Adelaide: State Toxinology Services; 2011. [ Links ]

6. León-Núñez LJ. Informe del evento accidente ofídico hasta el periodo epidemiológico VIII, Colombia, 2016. Bogotá: Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombia; 2016. [ Links ]

7. Lomonte B, Escolano J, Fernández J, Sanz L, Angulo Y, Gutiérrez J, et al. Snake venomics and antivenomics of the arboreal neotropical pitvipers Bothriechis lateralis and Bothriechis schlegelii. J Proteome Res. 2008;7(6):2445-57. http://doi.org/bs7h73. [ Links ]

8. Otero-Patiño R. Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of Bothrops asper bites. Toxicon. 2009;54(7):998-1011. http://doi.org/c38pdn. [ Links ]

9. Gutiérrez J, Lomonte B. Local tissue damage induced by Bothrops snake venoms. A review. Mem. Inst. Butantan. 1989;51:211-23. [ Links ]

10. Warrell D. Snakebites in Central and South America: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Clinical Management. In: Campbell JA, Lamar WW, editors. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere; Campbell J, Lamar W, editors. Ithaca: Comstock Publishing Associates; 2004. p. 709-61. [ Links ]

11. Otero R, Gutiérrez J, Mesa MB, Duque E, Rodríguez O, Arango JL, et al. Complications of Bothrops, Porthidium, and Bothriechis snakebites in Colombia. A clinical and epidemiological study of 39 cases attended in a university hospital. Toxicon. 2002;40(8):1107-14. [ Links ]

12. Gutiérrez JM, Rucavado A, Escalante T, Díaz C. Hemorrhage induced by snake venom metalloproteinases: biochemical and biophysical mechanisms involved in microvessel damage. Toxicon. 2005;45(8):997-1011. [ Links ]

13. Fox JW, Serrano SM. Structural considerations of the snake venom metalloproteinases, key members of the M12 reprolysin family of metallo-proteinases. Toxicon. 2005;45(8):969-85. [ Links ]

14. Alarcón J, Ángel LM, Rojas C. Accidente ofídico en pediatría. Revista Gastrohnup. 2012;14:S14-S26. [ Links ]

15. Buschek S, Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Lowe R. The effect of different snake venoms and anti-venoms on thrombin clotting time in human plasma. Thromb Res. 2012;125(4):e149-52. http://doi.org/dwn8bm. [ Links ]

FUNDING None declared by the author.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST None declared by the author.

*Corresponding author:mdgalofrer@unal.edu.co Phone number.: (057)3157261026

Creative Commons License This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License