Envenomation by Micrurus annellatus bolivianus (Peters, 1871) coral snake in the western Brazilian Amazon

Toxicon. 2019 Aug:166:34-38. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.05.008. Epub 2019 May 21.

Abstract

Bites by Micrurus snakes in Brazilian Amazon represent about 0.4% of snakebite registered in that area. There is not information available about the M. annellatus snakebites In this report, we describe a case of envenoming caused by Micrurus annellatus bolivianus recorded in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, state of Acre, western Brazilian Amazon. On admission, the patient was suffering from mild pain, mild edema and paraesthesia restricted to the site of the bite, darkened vision and nausea. Laboratorial evaluation revealed unclottable blood which improved only after 3 days of follow-up. Envenoming was classified as moderate, and 50 ml of antielapid serum was administered. The next day after the incident, vital signs were normal and the patient had mild thrombocytopenia (133,000/mm3). The patient did not present any bleeding during the hospitalization. On the fourth day after admission, the patient was discharged alleging no complaints. The patient showed coagulopathy, a rare condition in cases of Micrurus bites. Some areas where there is a lack of knowledge on coral snakebites are listed in this manuscript.

Keywords: Coagulopathy; Coral snake; Elapidae; Micrurus annellatus bolivianus; Snakebite; Snakes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antivenins / therapeutic use
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / chemically induced
  • Brazil
  • Coral Snakes*
  • Elapid Venoms / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Snake Bites / therapy*

Substances

  • Antivenins
  • Elapid Venoms