Characteristics of patients with ophidic accidents (snakebites) and infectious complications at the Pablo Tobon Uribe Hospital between the years 2000 and 2006

Abstract

Introduction: ophidic accidents (snakebites) are relatively frequent in Colombia, especially in jungle zones. About a fifth of them are complicated by infections related with the snakebite. Adequate management of early infections depends on adequate choice of antibiotics, in accordance with the most frequently isolated bacteria.

Objective: to identify the characteristics and infectious complications of patients with Bothrops snakebites at the Pablo Tobon Uribe Hospital.

Materials and methods: a retrospective review of case histories of patients presenting with snakebites between the years 2000 and 2006. Patients who had developed infectious complications, and in whose cases technically aseptic microbiologic isolation had been carried out, were selected.

Results: thirty three percent of patients developed infectious complications, most frequently fasciitis and abscesses. The most commonly isolated microorganism was Morganella morganii, and occasionally gram-positive bacteria.

Conclusions: the results suggest a high frequency of complications derived from Bothrops snakebites, and that the microorganisms involved are predominantly gram-positive bacteria. Empirical use of ciprofloxacin and clindamycin seems adequate for patients with soft tissue infections secondary to Bothrops snakebites.