Resumen

GUTIERREZ, J; BENITEZ-GUERRA, I  y  BENITEZ-GUERRA, G. Envenenamiento por rayas de agua dulce. RFM [online]. 2004, vol.27, n.2, pp.131-134. ISSN 0798-0469.

The poisoning by fresh water stingrays occurs in an accidental way, when they are stimulating or stepfoot; the venom has histolytic and anaphylactic action, a lethal action rarely occurs. We present a descriptive trial of 2O cases attended between january 2000 and december 2003 in the ambulatorio rural type II of San Rafael de Atamaica, Apure State, Venezuela. Seventy per cent of the cases occurred between february and april (dry station), many of them (90%) in male sex and 30-40 years old, during recreational activities. The more frequent wound was on the right foot (43%). Half of the patients look for medical care and had a good scar tissue in two weeks.

Palabras clave : Fresh water stingray; Potamotrygonidae sp; Poisoning; Venom.