ABSTRACT
Envenoming and poisoning by animal toxins is a broad subject with important geographic differences. Many types of envenoming and poisoning have neurological manifestations.16 For proper diagnosis and correct treatment, the neurologist in tropical countries should be aware of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and differential diagnosis of different types of envenoming and poisoning. Toxins are the chemical substances with more or less specific actions on biological systems that are present in venoms and poisons. Venoms are mixtures of toxins produced in specialized glands connected with structures such as fangs and stingers designed for inoculation of these substances. Poisons are also mixtures of toxins which are either produced in nonspecialized tissues or accumulated in an organism. Envenoming (or envenomation) is defined as inoculation of venom resulting in clinical or laboratory abnormalities; whereas, poisoning or intoxication is usually a consequence of the ingestion of poisonous animals.6 A bite or sting of a venomous animal or the ingestion of a poisonous one does not always result in envenoming or poisoning. The amount of injected or ingested toxins is of paramount importance and should be considered before specific treatment is instituted.
