Hemoperitoneum after a Bothrops snakebite: Case report

This report describes a case of human envenomation by a juvenile Bothrops jararaca snake in São Paulo, Brazil, in a 71 years-old man, previously healthy. He presented a life-threatening envenomation, which developed to severe hypotension, acute kidney injury and extensive peritoneal hemorrhage. The hemoperitoneum was diagnosed due to persistent hypotension associated with anemia, pain and gastrointestinal complaints. Abdominal Computed Tomography scans showed a moderate to large amount of presumable hematic material inside the abdominal cavity, predominantly in the perihepatic and perisplenic spaces. The intra-abdominal hemorrhage was not surgically addressed, and the patient was discharged 5 days after hospitalization, with the progressive absorption of the hemoperitoneum. Systemic bleeding is one of the complications and main causes of death in bothrops envenomations. Acute peritoneal hemorrhage is one of these serious complications that must be carefully addressed since its management must take into account the risk of bleeding caused by toxins that affect hemostasis. The case described highlights the importance of early diagnosis and adequate management of this potentially fatal complication in snakebites.PMID:38016581 | DOI:10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107350

Source: Toxicon - November 28, 2023 Category: Toxicology Authors: Adriana Baqueiro Abad Ribeiro Marcelo Larami Santoro Marcelo Ribeiro Duarte Cristiana Cruz Virgulino Gerson Sobrinho Salvador de Oliveira Francisco Oscar de Siqueira Fran ça Source Type: research