Envenomation caused by the bite of the snake Bothriechis schlegelii. Report of two cases in Colombia

• Main Author: Mario Galofre Ruiz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2017-01-01
• Series: Case Reports
• Subjects: Bothriechis schlegelii; Snake bites; Blood clotting
• Online Access: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/care/article/view/58625

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.