Snakebites in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil

in brazil, more than 80% of venomous snakebites are caused by bothrops and about 10% by crotalus. this study evaluated 133 reported cases that occurred between 1994 and 1996 in the 52 municipalities covered by the pouso alegre regional health center in southern minas gerais state. most of the patients were male (89.5%). the most frequently attacked age bracket was that of people in their twenties, and the most frequently bitten anatomical regions were the lower limbs (77.7%), principally the feet (34.6%). of the 124 cases stating the snake genus, 62.9% were caused by crotalus and 37.1% by bothrops. the conclusion of this study is that although the epidemiology of snakebites in minas gerais state is similar to other regions of the country, the percentage of crotalus bites is much higher.