CLINICAL ASPECTS OF UNCOMMON ENVENOMING PROVOKED BY ARTHROPODS: TOXINS FOR KNOWING

HADDAD JR, V(1,2).

(1) - Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista. (2) -  Vital Brazil Hospital, Butantan Institute, São Paulo State, Brazil.

The arthropods constitute the most numerous group of animals of the Nature. Several of them present toxins as mechanisms of attack and defense, being able to cause injuries in human beings. There is clinical interest and an immense pharmacological potential in these toxins, practically unexplored. They cause interesting and curious skin lesions, which are important for the dermatologist. METHODS: The accidents had been selected in the casuistry of the author, in accordance with the rarity of the occurrence and the potential interest for toxinologists.  RESULTS/DISCUSSION:  the clinical aspects of envenoming for Millepede or Diplopoda are presented.  These animals can eject irritating fluids that cause brown pigmentation and occasionally severe inflammation and blisters in the skin.  The stink bugs (Pentatomidae) have glands that produce a mixture of hidrocarbonates that function as a repellent of predators and paralysis in prey.  In humans, the secretion causes inflammatory skin lesions. The effects of the secretion are described in the first observation of lesions caused by Pentatomidae in humans.  Finally, an accident caused for a tocandira ant is presented (Paraponera clavata). The tocandira is a giant ant which sting provokes violent pain and systemic manifestations in the victim.  The intention of this presentation is to demonstrate uncommon injuries caused by venomous and poisonous arthropods and to offer new paths for interested on the involved toxins, poorly studied until today.

KEY WORDS: venomous animals, arthopods, toxins, stink bugs.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: FAPESP

CORRESPONDENCE TO: Vidal Haddad Junior -  18618-000 – Botucatu – SP – Brasil, Email: haddadjr@fmb.unesp.br