Ophidian envenomation in Morocco: Analysis of specific hospitalization records (2012-2015)

Abstract

Snakebites are a real public health problem in Morocco, from the point of view of incidence and mortality. Inorder to contribute to the reduction of the resulting morbidity and mortality, the present work aims to describe the epidemiological profile of cases of Snakebites and to follow the spatio-temporal trends of the health indicators studied (incidence, fatality and mortality). The methodology adopted consists of a retrospective analysis of the cases collected from the Anti Poison and Pharmacovigilance Center of Morocco from specific hospitalization records. Between 2012 and 2015, the MPCC gathered 224 cases. The mean age was 26.9 ± 18.9 years with a sex ratio (M / F) of 1.4. Most of the bites occurred during hot seasons (84%) and in rural areas (95%). The time to hospitalization exceeded 24 hours in 7% of cases. Clinically, compartment syndrome was observed in 17 patients, renal failure in 13 patients and shock in 13 patients. The distribution according to clinical gradation was almost uniform. From a therapeutic standpoint, in addition to the antivenom, two types of treatment were the most recommended: symptomatic treatment based on the administration of analgesics (n = 168) and on the administration of an antitetanus serum (n = 99), and treatment involving transfusion (n = 58). Analysis of all of these files enabled us to detect parameters having a direct impact on morbidity and mortality following a bite and ophidian envenomation, on which the competent authorities should focus in order to thwart this scourge and its complications.