Epidemiologic Profile of Accidents Involving Thalassophryne nattereri in Alagoas

Accidents caused by aquatic venomous animal’s present lower occurrence than those involving terrestrial ones due to their habitat and especially to underreporting. Among the animals which cause these accidents, the Thalassophryne nattereri fish is emphasized in the northwestern coast of Brazil, especially in the state of Alagoas. With its particular venom inoculation apparatus, two dorsal and two lateral canaliculated spines, this envenoming causes pain, fever, severe local inflammatory reaction, formation of erythema and swelling, often are evolving to necrosis. The treatment received is limited to the administration of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications, with the latter in order to prevent a secondary bacterial infection. Many of the injured do not seek medical attention and end up using home remedies. In this context, we carried out a survey to quantify the occurrence of this type of accidents in two fishing communities belonging to the Mundau lagoon, located in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, by applying questionnaires and collecting data through patient records along with the Secretariat of Health of the State of Alagoas. The results obtained indicate the most common group of injured persons: men at working age who use fishing as mean of survival and have especially their feet and hands injured in this type of accident. It is possible to conclude that these accidents caused by Thalassophryne nattereri occur with high frequency during fishing activities in the state of Alagoas. The envenoming drives the fishermen away from their work and leads to other complications to the life and health of the injured, as well as to their economic activity. This type of study makes this sort of accident noticeable for the society, such approach has never been conducted in the state of Alagoas and we believe that it might stimulate the interest in deepen the knowledge on toxins, the development of more efficient medical treatments and accident prevention.