BACKGROUND A better knowledge of the burden and risk factors associated with severity due to spider bites would lead to improved management with a reduction of sequelae usually seen for this neglected health problem, and would ensure proper use of antivenoms in remote localities in the Brazilian Amazon. The aim of this study was to analyze the profile of spider bites reported in the state of Am...

Accepted 15 October 2012 Published Online First 13 December 2012 ABSTRACT Objective To describe trends regarding snakebite enquiries to the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) from 2004 to 2010. Methods The NPIS telephone enquiry database, the UK Poisons Information Database, was interrogated for enquiries to the four NPIS units from 2004 to 2010. Search terms used were ‘snake’ and ‘...

In South Africa dogs are frequently presented to veterinarians following snakebite. The offending snakes are usually puff adders (Bitis arietans), cobras (Naja spp.) and mambas (Dendroaspis spp.). Night adder (Causus rhombeatus) bites in dogs have not yet been reported in South Africa. This article deals with three cases of dogs bitten by night adders in which extensive tissue damage was no...

Method The returns of mortality to the Rhodesian Attorney General’s Office were reviewed retro­ spectively over the five-year period June, 1965, to May, 1970. Included in the study are all fatalities in which the victim was reported to have died from direct of indirect contact with some nonhuman species of Rhodesian animal life. It in­ cludes deaths, due to trauma and to bites or stings of veno...

BACKGROUND Stingray injuries with potentially lethal outcomes have been described in the medical literature, but a stingray injury to a surfer does not belong to the injuries treated daily in Germany. PATIENTS We report on a stingray injury to a 31-year-old female with an uncommon course. RESULTS Diagnostics of and therapy for stingray injuries are described. CONCLUSION Stingray stings ar...

French Guiana, by its geographical situation, its climate and its biodiversity, is often called “the green hell”. Indeed, this French department of America shelters a wildlife rich, abundant among which many species of arthropods, some of which are responsible for envenomations. These accidents consist of scorpion’s or hymenoptera’s stings or spider’s bites. The associated clinical aspect is va...

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Snake-bites are the common cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical countries. In India, there are 216 species of snakes, of which only four are venomous snakes (cobra, krait, Russell's viper and saw scaled viper). This study was undertaken to find out the epidemiological profile of snake-bite incidences in the State of Andhra Pradesh, based on the data collected from...

Literature on bird spider or tarantula bites (Theraphosidae) is rare. This is astonishing as they are coveted pets and interaction with their keepers (feeding, cleaning the terrarium or taking them out to hold) might increase the possibility for bites. Yet, this seems to be a rare event and might be why most theraphosids are considered to be harmless, even though the urticating hairs of many Am...

OBJECTIVES To study the clinical profile of snake envenomation in a tertiary referral north Indian hospital. METHODS Retrospective case note analysis of all cases of snakebite admitted to the medical emergency from January 1997 to December 2001. RESULTS Of a total of 142 cases of snakebite there were 86 elapid bites presenting with neuroparalytic symptoms and 52 viper bites having haemostat...

Although ophthalmoplegia following snake bites is not indicative of a serious neurotoxic complication, symptoms of diplopia, dizziness and ocular discomfort can be emotionally devastating for patients. The authors experienced two cases of ophthalmoplegia following snake bites in Korea. The patients complained of diplopia that had developed several hours after the snake bites. The diplopia did n...