Frontiers in Immunology (Dec 2021)

Bothrops bilineatus: An Arboreal Pitviper in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest

  • Paulo Sérgio Bernarde,
  • Manuela Berto Pucca,
  • Manuela Berto Pucca,
  • Ageane Mota-da-Silva,
  • Wirven Lima da Fonseca,
  • Marllus Rafael Negreiros de Almeida,
  • Isadora Sousa de Oliveira,
  • Felipe Augusto Cerni,
  • Felipe Gobbi Grazziotin,
  • Marco A. Sartim,
  • Marco A. Sartim,
  • Marco A. Sartim,
  • Jacqueline Sachett,
  • Jacqueline Sachett,
  • Fan Hui Wen,
  • Ana Maria Moura-da-Silva,
  • Ana Maria Moura-da-Silva,
  • Wuelton M. Monteiro,
  • Wuelton M. Monteiro

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.778302
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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The two-striped forest-pitviper (Bothrops bilineatus) is an arboreal snake that is currently represented by two subspecies (B. b. bilineatus and B. b. smaragdinus) that comprise a species complex, and its distribution is in the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest. The rarity of encounters with this snake is reflected in the low occurrence of cases of snakebites throughout its geographic distribution and the resulting low number of published clinical reports. However, in some areas, B. bilineatus proves to be more frequent and causes envenomations in a greater proportion. Herein, we review the main aspects of the species complex B. bilineatus, including its biology, ecology, taxonomy, morphology, genetic and molecular studies, geographic distribution, conservation status, venom, pathophysiology and clinical aspects, and epidemiology. In addition, the different antivenoms available for the treatment of envenomations caused by B. bilineatus are presented along with suggestions for future studies that are needed for a better understanding of the snakebites caused by this snake.

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