Stingray: Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects. Bolívar State, Venezuela

  • Julman R Cermeño Department of Parasitology and Microbiology. School of Health Sciences "Francisco Battistini". Universidad de Oriente, Núcleo Bolívar, Ciudad Bolívar. Bolivar state.
  • Julmery J Cermeño Department of Medicine School of Health Sciences "Francisco Battistini". Universidad de Oriente, Núcleo Bolívar, Ciudad Bolívar. Bolivar state
  • Nilio Salazar “Ruiz y Páez” University Hospital Complex. Universidad de Oriente, Núcleo Bolívar, Ciudad Bolívar. Bolivar state.
  • Norka Gómez de Salazar “Ruiz y Páez” University Hospital Complex. Universidad de Oriente, Núcleo Bolívar, Ciudad Bolívar. Bolivar state.
Keywords: Epidemiology, stringray stings, poisoning by stingrays, stingrays

Abstract

Sstingrays are poisonous fish that can produce lesions by means of injecting poison to the victim through a penetrative structure. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stingray poisoning in the Ruiz y Páez Hospital, the principal hospital in Bolívar state. It was a descriptive, retrospective study. We reviewed data as to stingray poisoning cases during the period between January 1996 and July 2003. Twenty-four cases were registered (3.8 cases / year). Mean age of those affected was 26.2±16.1 years, 91.7% were masculine. The most frequent occupations were: fishermen (33.3%), students (25%) and farmers (16.7%), and 70.8% came from Bolivar State. The wounds were located in the lower members in all the cases, with local pain (100%), erythema (91.6%), hemorrhage (41.6%), necrosis and ulceration (29.2%). All patients were treated with asepsis and antisepsis of the wound, only 33.4% required surgical cleaning of the wound. All evolved satisfactorily. Poisoning by stingrays constitutes a reality in the Bolívar state, and the physicians that serve this region have to see to this problem and to prepare to adequately manage it.

Published
2005-06-04
How to Cite
1.
Cermeño JR, Cermeño JJ, Salazar N, Gómez de Salazar N. Stingray: Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects. Bolívar State, Venezuela. Kasmera [Internet]. 2005Jun.4 [cited 2024Nov.30];33(1):46-0. Available from: https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/kasmera/article/view/4750
Issue
Vol. 33 No. 1 (2005)
Section
Original Articles

Copyright (c) 2005 Julman R Cermeño, Julmery J Cermeño, Nilio Salazar, Norka Gómez de Salazar

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