Mitos, crenças, epidemiologia e toxicidade do veneno da serpente do gênero Crotalus, do cerrado tocantinense

Abstract

The genus Crotalus belongs to the family Viperidae and is popularly known as rattlesnake. Its venom is recognized as a biological source of molecules capable of producing irreversible damage to human health. The present work was developed with the purpose of studying the myths and beliefs, the epidemiological and toxicological profile of venom of snakes of the genus Crotalus, to the state of Tocantins. For this, a bibliographic survey was conducted to evaluate the myths and beliefs surrounding these animals. Crotalus durissus snake complaints were obtained from the TabWin-SINAN platform, from the records available for the last five years - 2012 to 2016, with information on sex, age, serum therapy, case evolution and municipality of occurrence. Rainfall and temperature were also analyzed to evaluate variables that facilitated the encounter with these animals. The venom obtained from rattlesnakes Crotalus durissus collilineatus was obtained from specimens collected in Tocantins, to analyze its toxic profile. Protein assays, phospholipase activity, minimal coagulant dose, toxicity (LD50) and anti-odor potential of the extract of the Chiococca alba plant were performed. All the tests were conducted in parallel with the reference venom, provided by the Butantan Institute - SP, of the same snake species under study. In view of the results it was possible to evaluate that the beliefs and myths about snakes need to be demystified, so that fear can be minimized and replaced by respect for these animals. As for the increase in crotalic accidents in the state, the high degree of lethality for the northern region of the country should be considered, with seasonality being an important factor that influences these indices, the highest incidence occurring on colder days and with higher rainfall. For the venom of Crotalus durissus collilineatus, the experiments demonstrated the absence of crotamine in the animals collected in Tocantins and the indication of antiofidic activity for the stratum of the Chiococca alba plant.