Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (Dec 2010)

Envenomation by Micrurus coral snakes in the Brazilian Amazon region: report of two cases

  • Pedro Pereira de Oliveira Pardal,
  • Joseana Silva de Oliveira Pardal,
  • Maria Apolônia da Costa Gadelha,
  • Líliam da Silva Rodrigues,
  • Darlan Tavares Feitosa,
  • Ana Lúcia da Costa Prudente,
  • Hui Wen Fan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652010000600009
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 52, no. 6
pp. 333 – 337

Abstract

Read online

Two cases of proven coral snake bites were reported in Belém, Pará State, Brazil. The first case was a severe one caused by Micrurus surinamensis. The patient required mechanical ventilation due to acute respiratory failure. The second case showed just mild signs of envenomation caused by Micrurus filiformis. Both patients received specific Micrurus antivenom and were discharged without further complications. Coral snake bites are scarcely reported in the Amazon region and there is a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, varying from extremely mild to those which may rapidly lead to death if the patient is not treated as soon as possible.

Keywords