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Kirtland J, Tremoleda JL, Trivedy C. Traumatic injury patterns in humans from large feline predators: A systematic review and descriptive analysis. TRAUMA-ENGLAND 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/14604086221123307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Traumatic attacks from large feline predators cause a small yet significant burden of disease in rural populations, are increasing in frequency, cause complex injuries and worsen human–wildlife conflicts. Data on the traumatic injury pattern found in victims of these animals is sparse, and this study aimed to collate and synthesise patterns of injury to inform the care and management of these patients. Methods A multi-ethnographic literature search (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other sources) was performed on 12/1/21 to capture all available data describing anatomical injury and the mechanism of injury sustained by humans from attacks by lions, leopards and tigers. Quality and bias assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Critical Evaluation tools. Results Of 5110 studies identified, 42 were included in this review totalling 84 individual patient cases. A total of 85% of fatal injuries were due to exsanguination combined with neuroaxis injury of the neck. All wounds were susceptible to tissue loss, infection and long-term neuro-vascular complications. Leopards injured anterior-midline structures of the neck more often than did lions and tigers, while the latter caused high-energy fractures. Time lag to treatment for survivors of wild attacks extended to multiple days, and occult injury was common. Conclusion In addition to the primary finding of complex neck injury, this study generated specific patterns of injury seen from the included species and highlighted occult injury and healthcare disparity as challenges in providing patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Kirtland
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Jordi L. Tremoleda
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK
- QMUL University Veterinarian and Senior Lecturer in Trauma, Animal Science and Welfare, London, UK
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2
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Viciano J, López-Lázaro S, Tanga C. Post-Mortem Dental Profile as a Powerful Tool in Animal Forensic Investigations—A Review. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162038. [PMID: 36009628 PMCID: PMC9404435 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Veterinary forensics is becoming more important in our society as a result of the growing demand for investigations related to crimes against animals or investigations of criminal deaths caused by animals. A veterinarian may participate as an expert witness or may be required to give forensic assistance, by providing knowledge of the specialty to establish a complete picture of the involvement of an animal and allowing the Courts to reach a verdict. By applying diverse dental profiling techniques, not only can species, sex, age-at-death, and body size of an animal be estimated, but also data about their geographical origin (provenance) and the post-mortem interval. This review concentrates on the dental techniques that use the characteristics of teeth as a means of identification of freshly deceased and skeletonised animals. Furthermore, this highlights the information that can be extracted about the animal from the post-mortem dental profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Viciano
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, ‘G. d’Annunzio’ University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence: (J.V.); (S.L.-L.); (C.T.)
| | - Sandra López-Lázaro
- Departamento de Antropología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 6850331, Chile
- Forensic Dentistry Lab, Centro de Investigación en Odontología Legal y Forense–CIO–, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
- Correspondence: (J.V.); (S.L.-L.); (C.T.)
| | - Carmen Tanga
- Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.V.); (S.L.-L.); (C.T.)
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3
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Gorchiya A, Jadav D, Singh Shekhawat R. An Unusual Attack by a Blue Bull Resulting in Penetrating Horn Injuries. Wilderness Environ Med 2022; 33:232-235. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Malhotra A, Wüster W, Owens JB, Hodges CW, Jesudasan A, Ch G, Kartik A, Christopher P, Louies J, Naik H, Santra V, Kuttalam SR, Attre S, Sasa M, Bravo-Vega C, Murray KA. Promoting co-existence between humans and venomous snakes through increasing the herpetological knowledge base. Toxicon X 2021; 12:100081. [PMID: 34522881 PMCID: PMC8426276 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite incidence at least partly depends on the biology of the snakes involved. However, studies of snake biology have been largely neglected in favour of anthropic factors, with the exception of taxonomy, which has been recognised for some decades to affect the design of antivenoms. Despite this, within-species venom variation and the unpredictability of the correlation with antivenom cross-reactivity has continued to be problematic. Meanwhile, other aspects of snake biology, including behaviour, spatial ecology and activity patterns, distribution, and population demography, which can contribute to snakebite mitigation and prevention, remain underfunded and understudied. Here, we review the literature relevant to these aspects of snakebite and illustrate how demographic, spatial, and behavioural studies can improve our understanding of why snakebites occur and provide evidence for prevention strategies. We identify the large gaps that remain to be filled and urge that, in the future, data and relevant metadata be shared openly via public data repositories so that studies can be properly replicated and data used in future meta-analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Malhotra
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution @ Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, 3rd floor ECW, Deiniol Road, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Wolfgang Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution @ Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, 3rd floor ECW, Deiniol Road, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - John Benjamin Owens
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution @ Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, 3rd floor ECW, Deiniol Road, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
- Captive & Field Herpetology Ltd, Wales, 13 Hirfron, Holyhead, Llaingoch, Anglesey, LL65 1YU, UK
| | - Cameron Wesley Hodges
- School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Muang Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Allwin Jesudasan
- Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for Herpetology, Post bag No.4, Vadanamelli Village, East Coast Road, Mamallapuram, 603 104, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gnaneswar Ch
- Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for Herpetology, Post bag No.4, Vadanamelli Village, East Coast Road, Mamallapuram, 603 104, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ajay Kartik
- Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for Herpetology, Post bag No.4, Vadanamelli Village, East Coast Road, Mamallapuram, 603 104, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Peter Christopher
- Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for Herpetology, Post bag No.4, Vadanamelli Village, East Coast Road, Mamallapuram, 603 104, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Hiral Naik
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. P. O. Wits, 2050, Gauteng, South Africa
- Save the Snakes, R527, Blyderus, Hoedspruit, 1380, South Africa
| | - Vishal Santra
- Captive & Field Herpetology Ltd, Wales, 13 Hirfron, Holyhead, Llaingoch, Anglesey, LL65 1YU, UK
- Society for Nature Conservation, Research and Community Engagement (CONCERN), Nalikul, Hooghly, West Bengal 712407, India
| | - Sourish Rajagopalan Kuttalam
- Society for Nature Conservation, Research and Community Engagement (CONCERN), Nalikul, Hooghly, West Bengal 712407, India
| | - Shaleen Attre
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Marlowe Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, UK
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Carlos Bravo-Vega
- Research Group in Mathematical and Computational Biology (BIOMAC), Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of the Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Kris A. Murray
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, UK
- MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, Gambia
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Wend CM, Goolsby C, Schuler K, Fischer ST, Levy MJ. Tourniquet Use in Animal Attacks: An Analysis of News Media Reports. Cureus 2021; 13:e13926. [PMID: 33880274 PMCID: PMC8051424 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.13926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Animal attacks pose a significant public health problem in the United States. Non-venomous animals are the leading cause of mortality in these attacks, and extremity injuries leading to hemorrhage are a common pattern. The Stop the Bleed campaign advocates for public training in bleeding control tactics and public access to bleeding control kits. Controlling life-threatening bleeding, as promoted by the Stop the Bleed campaign, may be a method to reduce preventable death in these attacks. Methodology We searched the Nexus Uni database, which compiles international news media articles, to collect newspaper articles in the United States between 2010 and 2019 that referenced animal attacks on humans in which a tourniquet was applied. We screened articles to assess for inclusion criteria and isolated a single report for each attack. Results A total of 50 individual attacks met the inclusion criteria and were included for data collection. Overall, 92% (n = 46) of the victims survived the attacks, and the average victim age was 33. California was the most common location of the attacks (n = 12, 24%), sharks caused the most attacks (n = 26, 52%), and victims most often sustained isolated extremity injuries (n = 24, 48% for arm and n = 24, 48% for leg). Laypeople applied the most tourniquets (n = 29, 58%), and appliers most frequently used improvised tourniquets (n = 30, 60%). Conclusions While mortality in this series was low, there are hundreds of fatalities from non-venomous animal attacks each year. Equipping and training the at-risk public to stop bleeding may save additional lives. Future Stop the Bleed efforts should improve access to public hemorrhage control equipment and expand educational outreach to people engaged in high-risk activities with animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Wend
- Emergency Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC, USA
| | - Craig Goolsby
- Department of Military & Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, USA.,National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, USA
| | - Keke Schuler
- Department of Military & Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, USA.,National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, The Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, USA
| | - Steven T Fischer
- Emergency Medical Services, Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department, Dix Hills, USA
| | - Matthew J Levy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.,National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, USA
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Kanchan T, Shekhawat RS, Shetty BSK, Jayaram L, Meshram VP. Fatal captive tiger attack - A case report with review of literature. J Forensic Leg Med 2020; 78:102100. [PMID: 33421651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2020.102100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The attacks on humans by big captive felids has been an issue of concern for the administration of zoological parks and wildlife conservationists. The theme of human-animal conflict takes a new dimension for the wild animals kept in zoos, circuses, exotic animal farms, and private custody. Despite the potential dangers involved, the zookeepers have to closely interact with the captive tigers for catering to the needs of food, general health, and wellbeing. The literature has described cases of attacks by captive tigers resulting in the death of the primary caretaker. The injuries present on such bodies include multiple punctured lacerations, traumatic amputations, damage to the vital organs of the neck, fracture-dislocation of cervical vertebrae, and abrasions secondary to the dragging of the body. We present a rare fatal case of an attack of a tiger on keeper during the night hours while he entered the cage to look after the tiger who was suffering from gastroenteritis for a few days and was not taking his feed aptly. The keeper had a twelve-year long relation with the tiger, and the discovery of his death was an astonishment for zoo administration. This case describes the autopsy findings emphasizing the distribution of injuries, along with inquiring into the scene of the incident. The details about the predatory behaviour of tigers and stereotypic behaviours in captivity have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanuj Kanchan
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Raghvendra Singh Shekhawat
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
| | - B Suresh Kumar Shetty
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
| | - Lakshmi Jayaram
- Internal Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, 20010, United States.
| | - Vikas P Meshram
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
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Moshi HI, Jusabani MA, Rashid SM, Dekker MCJ. Ox cart accidents as a cause of spinal cord injury in Tanzania. Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2020; 6:105. [PMID: 33239614 DOI: 10.1038/s41394-020-00357-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Prospective Study. OBJECTIVES To describe a unique site-specific injury mechanism for spinal cord injury: incidents involving ox-carts. SETTING Main referral hospital for North-eastern Tanzania. METHODS A prospective cohort study on Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in a tertiary referral center in North-eastern Tanzania was examined for accidents related to the use of ox-carts, a major means of transport in a rugged rural area where the economy is largely based on agricultural practices. RESULTS Five out of a total of 163 individuals admitted with SCI were injured in incidents directly related to the use of ox-carts. On admission each of the five individuals had different neurological level and corresponding injury severity as follows; C4 (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale) AIS A), C5 (AIS D), C7 (AIS C), T1 (AIS C) and L1 (AIS D). Two out of the five patients developed secondary complications during their hospital stay. CONCLUSION The nature of these injuries highlights the influence of one's environment and social circumstances on the risk of sustaining a SCI. Such cases also serve to illustrate the need for tailored prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haleluya I Moshi
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. .,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania.
| | - Mubashir A Jusabani
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.,Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Sakina M Rashid
- Division of Neurosurgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marieke C J Dekker
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.,Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
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Suraweera W, Warrell D, Whitaker R, Menon G, Rodrigues R, Fu SH, Begum R, Sati P, Piyasena K, Bhatia M, Brown P, Jha P. Trends in snakebite deaths in India from 2000 to 2019 in a nationally representative mortality study. eLife 2020; 9:e54076. [PMID: 32633232 PMCID: PMC7340498 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization call to halve global snakebite deaths by 2030 will require substantial progress in India. We analyzed 2833 snakebite deaths from 611,483 verbal autopsies in the nationally representative Indian Million Death Study from 2001 to 2014, and conducted a systematic literature review from 2000 to 2019 covering 87,590 snakebites. We estimate that India had 1.2 million snakebite deaths (average 58,000/year) from 2000 to 2019. Nearly half occurred at ages 30-69 years and over a quarter in children < 15 years. Most occurred at home in the rural areas. About 70% occurred in eight higher burden states and half during the rainy season and at low altitude. The risk of an Indian dying from snakebite before age 70 is about 1 in 250, but notably higher in some areas. More crudely, we estimate 1.11-1.77 million bites in 2015, of which 70% showed symptoms of envenomation. Prevention and treatment strategies might substantially reduce snakebite mortality in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Suraweera
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - David Warrell
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Romulus Whitaker
- Centre for Herpetology/Madras Crocodile Bank, Vadanemmeli VillageChennaiIndia
| | - Geetha Menon
- Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari NagarNew DelhiIndia
| | - Rashmi Rodrigues
- Department of Community Health, St. John's Medical College, St. John's National Academy of Health SciencesBangaloreIndia
| | - Sze Hang Fu
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Rehana Begum
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Prabha Sati
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Kapila Piyasena
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Mehak Bhatia
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Patrick Brown
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Prabhat Jha
- Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
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