Tania K. Brazil

Envenenamento por Tityus stigmurus (Scorpiones; Buthidae) no Estado da Bahia, Brasil

The present investigation is a descriptive study regarding the clinical aspects of accidents caused by the scorpion Tityus stigmurus in Bahia, Brazil. We analyzed 237 confirmed cases treated by the Antivenom Information Centre (CIAVE) from 1982 to 1995. Envenomation by T. stigmurus was mainly characterized by local symptoms: pain (94.4%), dormancy (30.0%), edema (17.8%), erythema (17.8), paresthesia (15.6%) and general manifestations such as headache (4.4%), vomiting (4.4%) and sudoresis (3.3%). Most of the envenomation cases were mild (94%) and all were successfully cured. Although T. stigmurus venom is not in the pool of anti-venom serum (SAE), the absence of lethality and benign nature of the cases suggest the efficiency of SAE. With the exception of deaths and systemic complications, envenoming gravity was similar to those of Tityus serrulatus.A presente investigacao e um estudo descritivo dos aspectos clinicos dos acidentes causados pelo escorpiao Tityus stigmurus no Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Foram analisados 237 casos confirmados, tratados pelo Centro de Informacoes Antiveneno da Bahia (CIAVE), no periodo de 1982-1995. O envenenamento por T. stigmurus caracterizou-se por manifestacoes locais: dor (94,4%), dormencia (30%), edema (17,8%), eritema (17,8%) e parestesia (15,6%) e gerais: cefaleia (14%), vomitos (4,4%) e sudorese (3,3%). A maioria dos envenenamentos (94%) foi leve e todos evoluiram para cura. A ausencia de letalidade, com o restabelecimento dos pacientes, inclusive casos graves, sugere a eficacia do tratamento com o antiveneno especifico, apesar do veneno desta especie nao estar presente no pool de producao nacional do soro. Ha necessidade de revisao dos criterios regionais nos esquemas atuais de soroterapia. Os dados apontam para a semelhanca da gravidade do envenenamento por T. serrulatus, com excecao da ocorrencia de obitos e complicacoes sistemicas.

Outbreak of aggressions and transmission of rabies in human beings by vampire bats in northeastern Brazil.

Outbreaks of attacks upon human beings by vampire bats seems to be a common phenomenon in several regions of Latin America, but the occurrence of rabies infection among humans bled by vampires, is relatively low. In the present study, two outbreaks of human rabies transmitted by common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) are described from Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil, in 1991 and 1992. The first was recorded in Aporá where 308 people were bled by vampires bats and three of these die from this zoonosis. The 2nd outbreak occurred in Conde where only five people were bled by vampires, and two deaths by rabies were registered. Our data suggest that rabies transmitted by bats basically depends on the presence of virus in the vampire bat population and not on the number of humans bled by them.

Scorpions, state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil

We report herein an updated and commented list of scorpions occurring in state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Data comprising a period of 100 years (1908-2008) were obtained from seven major Brazilian collections. Twenty eight species were identified and grouped in seven genera ( Bothriurus Peters, 1861, Ananteris Thorell, 1891, Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828, Physoctonus Mello-Leitao, 1934, Rhopalurus Thorell, 1876, Tityus C.L.Koch, 1836 and Troglorhopalurus Lourenco, Baptista and Giupponi, 2004) and two families (Bothriuridae Simon, 1880 and Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837). This new list increases in 50 % the known scorpiofauna of Bahia, which now represents approximately 22 % of the Brazilian species, recorded in all biomes and phytophysiognomies from the coastal zone to high altitude areas (3-1,268 m). Seven species are endemic to Bahia and three of them could be included in the Brazilian National Red List, which would promote action plans towards their conservation.

Acidentes por escorpião em uma área do Nordeste de Amaralina, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

An epidemiological study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of individuals who referred scorpion sting accidents in a population sample from Areal, a neighborhood northeast of Amaralina, Salvador City, State of Bahia, Brazil. A random, systematic sample of 1,367 individuals was taken, corresponding to 44.4% of the total population. Eighty-two residents referred scorpion sting since they were resident in Areal, giving a prevalence coefficient of 6% (95% CI 4.7 - 7.3). The prevalence of persons stung by scorpions increased according to greater time spent in the domicile and more advanced age. It was remarkable that 92.7% of the scorpions stings occurred within the home. The incidence coefficient estimated for the most recent period of time (January to July, 2000) was 1.15 cases/1,000 inhabitants per month, comparable to the highest ever reported for an epidemic area.

Aranhas sinantrópicas em três bairros da cidade de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil (Arachnida, Araneae)

In order to evaluate which are the synanthropic spiders of Salvador and also to know if there exists any relationship between spider composition and time of urban occupation, this study analized 677 spiders, captured in three city neighbourhoods with different urbanization times: Santo Antonio Alem do Carmo (300-400 years), Itapua (100-300 years) and Pituba (less than 50 years). Sample size inside and outside of residences was calculated based on 10% district census and collections were carried out always by six collectors, who were also responsible for the interviews, totalling a sampling effort of 30 minutes/residence (n=71), from November/2002 to June/2003. Of a total of 329 adults, 13 species and 17 morfo-species distributed in 10 families, were recognized. Pholcidae (n=256), Oecobiidae (n=184) and Uloboridae (n=59) were the most abundant families. Oecobius concinnus, the only one Oecobiidae, appeared restricted to recent districts. Its unexpected absence in the oldest district suggests the existence of some limiting factor, that shows the need of more investigation on this poorly known species. In contrast, Smeringopus pallidus was more frequent in the oldest district and Physocyclus globosus (Pholcidae) occured in all three. There was significant differences in species abundance and structural organization of residences between the more ancient and the more recent districts. Thus, we suggest that the fact that the buildings structure remained untouched throughout the years is as a factor that favours the permanence of these species.

Distribution of 131I-labeled Bothrops erythromelas venom in mice.

Bothrops erythromelas is responsible for many snake bites in northeastern Brazil. In the present study we determined the in vivo distribution of the venom following its subcutaneous injection into mice. B. erythromelas venom and albumin were labeled individually with 131I by the chloramine T method, and separated in a Sephacryl S-200 column. The efficiency of labeling was 68%. Male Swiss mice (40-45 g), which had been provided with drinking water containing 0.05% KI over a period of 10 days prior to the experiment, were inoculated dorsally (s.c.) with 0.3 ml (2.35 x 10(5) cpm/mouse) of 131I-venom (N = 42), 131I-albumin or 131I (controls, N = 28 each). Thirty minutes and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after inoculation, the animals were perfused with 0.85% NaCl and skin and various organs were collected in order to determine radioactivity content. There was a high rate of venom absorption in the skin (51%) within the first 30 min compared to albumin (20.1%) and free iodine (8.2%). Up to the third hour after injection there was a tendency for venom and albumin to concentrate in the stomach (3rd h), small intestine (3rd h) and large intestine (6th h). Both control groups had more radioactivity in the digestive tract, especially in the stomach, but these levels decreased essentially to baseline by 12-18 h postinjection. In the kidneys, the distribution profiles of venom, albumin and iodine were similar. Counts at 30 min postinjection were low in all three groups (1.37, 1.86 and 0.77, respectively), and diminished to essentially 0% by 12-18 h. Albumin tended to concentrate in muscle until the 3rd h postinjection (1.98%). There was a low binding of labeled venom in the liver (< 0.54%), thyroid (< 0.11%) and lungs (< 0.08%), and no iodinated venom was detected in brain, heart, diaphragm, spleen or bladder. The low venom binding observed in most internal organs, comparable to that of albumin, suggests that B. erythromelas venom does not specifically target most internal organs. That is, the systemic effects of envenomation are mainly due to an indirect action.

Redescription and notes on the natural history of the arboreal tarantula Iridopelma seladonium (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Aviculariinae)

The original description of this species was based on a single female and no illustrations of reproductive organs were presented. After we collected several specimens identified as I. seladonium, we decided to redescribe this species and discovered that the male, previously described as belonging to this species, was misidentified by MELLO LEITAO (1923). Thus, in this paper the male of I. seladonium is newly described and the reproductive organs of male and female are described and illustrated in detail. Notes on the behavior and natural history of I. seladonium are presented based on the observation of live specimens in the field and in captivity. An immature of I. seladonium was observed constructing a hinged retreat with silk and little pieces of bark, a behavior not previously seen for other Aviculariinae. Two courtship events were observed and photographed, leg tapping and palpal drumming of the male on females body and dorsum-ventral movements of the females abdomen while the male was inserting the embolus were documented to Aviculariinae for the first time. The courtships and mating lasted almost two minutes.

Description of the male of Tityus kuryi Lourenço, 1997 and notes about males of Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1877) and Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones, Buthidae)

Abstract The male of Tityus kuryi Lourenço, 1997 is described for the first time. Despite being very similar to the female, the male presents more robust metasomal segments. Additionally, the distribution of the sexual populations of another two species of the T. stigmurus complex is reported herein: T. serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 and T. stigmurus (Thorell, 1877). Males of T. serrulatus were, until now, restricted to the Minas Gerais State (Southwestern region of Brazil), and with new records reported here, its known distribution now encompasses the Northeastern region of Brazil. Males of T. stigmurus were previously recorded only for two municipalities in the State of Bahia, and here we present eight new records for Bahia State and one for Pernambuco State. We present a key to related species of the T. stigmurus complex based on morphology and coloration pattern.

Comportamento e dieta alimentar de uma espécie de Latrodectus do grupo Mactans (Araneae, Theridiidae) em cativeiro

Latrodectus gr. mactans is responsible for 28% of ali accidents provoked by spiders in state of Bahia, Brazil (1980-1990), which makes necessary the study of its manejament. The spiders were captured in Ondina, Salvador, and in Baxio, Esplanada (Bahia, Brazil); they were mantained in captivity, with food supply weekly (Atta sp., larva of Tenebrio sp. and Drosophila melanogaster) with three hours/ offers observation time, during march/95 to april/96. In captivity, the spiders accepted two kinds of food: Atta sp., which seems to be the major item of its diet in natural conditions, and larva of Tenebrio sp., which is not available in natural conditions. Drosophila melanogaster was systematically rejected. The feeding behavior iscomposed by four distinct steps: (1) imrnobilization, (2) inoculation, (3) second immobilization and (4) ingestion. Two kinds of social alimentary behavior are descri-bed. The results indicated that larvae of Tenebrio sp. can be an alternative supply for successfull maintenance of this specie in captivity.

Vital network for Brazil: national network of information, discussion and cooperation concerning venomous animals

Regional Center of Ophiology and Venomous Animals (NOAP) Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia State