Snakebites in Mostar region, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Title (croatian): Ugrizi zmija na mostarskom području, Bosna i Hercegovina
• Author: Ivo Curić
• Author: Snježana Curić
• Author: Ivica Bradarić
• Author: Pero Bubalo
• Author: Helien Bebek-Ivanković
• Author: Jadranka Nikolić
• Author: Ozren Polašek
• Author: Nikola Bradarić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care

Abstract (english)

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the snakebites in patients hospitalized at the Mostar Clinical Hospital, admitted between 1983 and 2006. A total of 341 patients were recorded, with moderate men predominance (52.8%). Majority of patients were bitten for the first time (99.1%). In 98.8% of patients snakebite occurred to the bare skin, most commonly during June to September period (64.2%). Snakebites were the commonest in agricultural workers (48.1%). Until 2003 all admitted patients were treated according to Russel’s scheme (3-anti). As of 2003 new treatment scheme was applied, resulting in the reduction of antidote and supportive treatment use, causing a reduction in the number of clinically apparent allergic reactions. Serum sickness was recorded in only 2 patients, while lethal outcome was recorded in one (0.3%). Overall results indicate that lethality of snakebite is low, and that patients were often administered treatment without medical indication. High number of tourists as well as the presence of the peace keeping troops and other visiting personnel in this region make the snakebites and awareness on snakes not only a local issue, but also more general concern.

Abstract (croatian)

Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je prikazati pojavnost zmijskih ugriza među pacijentima koji su bili hospitalizirani u Kliničkoj bolnici Mostar, u razdoblju 1983.–2006. godine. Ukupno je tijekom tog razdoblja zabilježen 341 pacijent, s nešto većim brojem muškaraca (52,8%). Većini pacijenata to je bio prvi ugriz (99,1%). Također, kod većine pacijenata ugriz se dogodio na golu kožu, najviše tijekom ljetnih mjeseci. Ugrizi su bili najčešći kod poljoprivrednika (48,1%). Do 2003. godine pacijetni su liječeni Russelovom shemom liječenja, a od 2003. godine korišten je novi oblik liječenja koji je bio obilježen manjom količinom korištenja zmijskog protuotrova i smanjenjem broja alergijskih reakcija. Serumska bolest zabilježena je samo kod dva pacijenta, a smrtni ishod samo kod jednog (0,3%). Sveukupni rezultati govore u prilog malom mortalitetu i da je pacijentima često primjenjeno liječenje bez stvarne indikacije. Veliki broj turista i vojnog osoblja u ovom području je razlog zbog kojeg pojavnost zmijskih ugriza nije samo lokalni nego i mnogo širi problem.

• Keywords (english): Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Agriculture; Animals; Antivenins/adverse effects; Antivenins/therapeutic use; Bosnia-Herzegovina/epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Snake Bites/epidemiology; Snake Bites/mortality; Snake Bites/therapy; Viper Venoms/immunology; Viperidae
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Collegium Antropologicum
• Numbering: vol. 33, no. S. 2, pp. 93-98
• p-ISSN: 0350-6134
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:769434
• Publication: 2009-12
• Document URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/51602
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 11:39:54