Clinical characteristics and long-term disabilities in children following Bothrops atrox envenomation in Manaus, western Brazilian Amazon

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  Image Credit: By Darío De la Fuente - https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/113840233, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129474300 Clinical characteristics and long-term disabilities in children following Bothrops atrox envenomation in Manaus, western Brazilian Amazon Abstract Background:   In the Brazilian Amazon, most snakebites are caused by Bothrops atrox . Although pediatric cases are less frequent, children are more vulnerable to severe complications and long-term disabilities. This study aims to describe the clinical profile of B. atrox envenomation in children treated at a tertiary hospital in Manaus, in Western Brazilian Amazon, and to characterize the resulting long-term musculoskeletal impairments in a subgroup of these patients. Methods:   We retrospectively analyzed sociodemographic and clinical data from patients up to 12 years and 11 months of age treated between January 2010 and December 2023. A total of 258 children who were ...

An Epidemiological Overview of Envenomation Involving Latrodectus sp. and Unidentified Spider Species in Southern Brazil

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An Epidemiological Overview of Envenomation Involving Latrodectus sp. and Unidentified Spider Species in Southern Brazil


Abstract

Background: Spiders of the order Araneae are ecologically significant predators, although only a few species pose a medical threat to humans. Among them, the Latrodectus genus stands out due to its potent venom, which can cause severe systemic symptoms

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of latrodectism and accidents with other spiders in the southern region of Brazil from 2011 to 2022.

Methods: Data were collected from DataSUS/Tabnet and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and principal component analysis (PCA) to describe the epidemiological profile of these accidents.

Results: Findings show that Santa Catarina reported the highest number of latrodectism cases (112), followed by Rio Grande do Sul (63) and Paraná (44). Accidents involving unidentified spiders exceeded 247,000 in the region, with Santa Catarina also recording the highest frequency. Seasonal patterns indicated an increase in incidents during warmer months and a decline in winter. Latrodectism was more common among older adults (65–80 years), while accidents with unidentified spiders were more evenly distributed across age groups. This study underscores the importance of accurate species identification in the clinical management of spider bites and in developing effective public health strategies. Moreover, it highlights the need for further research on the Latrodectus genus in Brazil, given its medical relevance and the current gaps in scientific knowledge.


Fernanda Staub Zembruski, Thiago André Carniel, Maria Assunta Busato, and Junir Antônio Lutinski. 2025. “An Epidemiological Overview of Envenomation Involving Latrodectus Sp. And Unidentified Spider Species in Southern Brazil”. Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research 37 (9):1–16. https://doi.org/10.9734/jammr/2025/v37i95921.