[Snake envenomation in French Guiana]

Abstract

French Guiana is a French Overseas Department in South America. Ninety-five percent of the territory is a tropical rainforest. Its rich fauna includes seven families of snakes but only 3 are potentially venomous. Less than 12% of species and, depending on biotope, 10 to 30% of specimens collected are dangerous for humans. The annual incidence of snakebite is less than 50 bites per 100,000 inhabitants overall but increases to 600 per 100,000 for persons active in the rainforest where the risk is highest. The most common envenomation by Viperidae such as Bothrops, which is abundant throughout French Guiana, induces inflammation, necrosis and hemorrhage. Crotalus durissus, a rattlesnake living in coastal savannah, or Micrurus sp cause neuromuscular poisoning. Coral snakes are encountered throughout French Guiana, but envenomation is very rare. Antivenom therapy must be administered by the intravenous route in association with symptomatic treatment and, if necessary, resuscitation in a specialized care unit.