Diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from the oral cavity of captive snakes

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  Diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from the oral cavity of captive snakes Abstract Venomous snake bites are a global public health issue, causing between 81 000 and 138 000 annual deaths and 400 000 permanent disabilities. This study investigated the oral bacterial diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles in captive  Viperidae  snakes. Oral swabs from 48 specimens across four species ( Porthidium lansbergii ,  Bothriechis nigroviridis ,  Cerrophidion sasai , and  Bothrops asper ) were analyzed using culture-dependent methods. Bacterial isolation and identification using the VITEK 2 automated system revealed 41 strains from 12 genera, predominantly Gram-negative bacteria, including  Morganella morganii  (11 isolates) and  Providencia rettgeri  (10 isolates). Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated significant resistance patterns, with 100% resistance to cephalothin and cefazolin i...

Epidemiological study in Brazil: Scorpion sting cases in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

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Epidemiological study in Brazil: Scorpion sting cases in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

Scorpion sting accidents are a public health problem in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The increasing and high incidence of cases in urban areas reveals the importance of studies to determine the epidemiological profile and the spatial distribution of these accidents. This is a retrospective study that describes and analyzes the cases of scorpion stings in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil, from 2007 to 2018. Data from the Information System database of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) were obtained from the Secretary of Health of Rio Grande do Norte. 31,368 accidents due to scorpion stings were reported, more frequently in urban areas of Natal, whose Human Development Index is low. The cases occurred predominantly in hot and humid regions, mainly affecting women aged between 30 and 60 years. Most individuals sought medical attention within 3 h of the incident. The severity and mortality of the injured individuals varied according to the area of occurrence, age of the patient, and the local and systemic symptoms presented. Pain, numbness, and edema were the most frequent local symptoms, and systemic symptoms were frequently described as headache, hyperthermia and sweating. Therefore, scorpionism in the city of Natal is an environmental and public health problem, with a significant growth trend (p < 0.05). Through the data collected on the spatial distribution and risks, this approach allows the creation of effective control strategies to prevent accidents.
Epidemiological study in Brazil: Scorpion sting cases in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, HELIYON (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24190.