Bite by Bothrops pictus in an adult patient from a district in Lima: a case report

Abstract

Snakebites, particularly those from the genus Bothrops spp., represent a public health concern
in Latin America due to their high incidence and significant clinical variability. We present the
case of a 44-year-old male patient, a gardener by occupation, who was bitten on the left third
finger by a snake in Cieneguilla. Initially, no antivenom was available at the nearest health center;
therefore, he was transferred to Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins on the same day. Despite
receiving immediate medical attention and antivenom treatment upon arrival at the hospital, he
developed common local symptoms such as pain, edema, and ecchymosis, but did not exhibit any
severe long-term complications. Although the patient did not present with serious complications,
the variability in the clinical presentation of snakebites can complicate their management,
highlighting the importance of individualized evaluation and treatment. The patient experienced
a favorable recovery and was discharged after six days, with no complications. This case points
out the importance of prompt medical attention and access to antivenom, especially in areas
where snakebites are endemic. In addition, it underscores the need for increased community
education on local species and bite prevention, particularly for agricultural workers who face
a higher risk. The definitive diagnosis of ophidism caused by Bothrops pictus, recorded in the
medical history, was made based on the characteristic clinical presentation, laboratory findings, the snake’s features described by the patient, and the geographic-epidemiological characteristics.