Snakebites by the Sheltopusik (Pseudopus Apodus) Locally Called Petilus Snake to Humans: a Case Report

• Main Authors: Aliyeh Bazi, Seyed Khosro Ghasempouri, Adeleh Sahebnasagh, Fatemeh Saghafi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 2019-09-01
• Series: Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology
• Subjects: iran; sheltopusik; snakebite; petilus
• Online Access: http://apjmt.mums.ac.ir/article_13828_f92acd6a3846406287d5106d2f1f4a8f.pdf
• ISSN: 2322-2611; 2322-4320

<em>Background:</em> The vast territory of Iran, due to climate diversity, is a host for various animal species. Snakes may be considered a significant threat to health of the rural regions of Iran. Sheltopusik (<em>Pseudopus</em> <em>apodus</em>), the largest member of the family Anguida, is one of the species of lizard that is considered to be a harmless animal species. This lizard is often mistaken for a faunistic community of reptiles in the area and is well-known as Petilus Snake. To the best of our knowledge, no reports of injury from bites or attacks of this species have previously been published.<br /> <em>Case presentation:</em> The present case report is the first report of describing the attack of a sheltopusik to a 40-year-old white female farmer. Due to the lack of primary identification of the damaging animal, it was initially confused with the snakebite, leading to unnecessary administration of anti-venom and tetanus prophylaxis.<br /> <em>Discussion:</em> The main reason for this event was the lack of reporting a similar medical harm in the area and the snake-like appearance of the lizard. Acquaintance with this kind of damage to the human health and tissue contusion by the hit can help rational management of such patients without conventional modalities for snakebite like antivenom.<br /> <em>Conclusion:</em> The physicians practicing in emergency wards and rural clinics in the area, as the first place of referral, should be trained on proper management of this group of patients to achieve the best clinical outcome.