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At least 1,027 records · Page 57Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Epidemiological studies of snake bite in French Guiana.

The incidence of snake bite and the presence of venom antibody in previous snake bite victims was investigated in French Guiana. The incidence proved to be highest (600/100,000) in inhabitants of bush regions and lowest (45/100,000) in urban areas. Of 43 sera tested for specific venom antibody 22 (51%) were positive, and most of these individuals suffered severe or moderate poisoning. The main species involved, as assessed by detection of venom antibody by ELISA, were Lachesis muta, Bothrops brazili, B. bilineatus and B. atrox. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1997

An objective approach to antivenom therapy and assessment of first-aid measures in snake bite.

Treatment of systemic envenoming in snake-bite victims has, in the past, depended almost entirely on the individual clinician's experience in assessing the severity of envenoming. The efficacy of treatment is obviously related to the neutralizing potency of the antivenom used, the route by which it is administered and the dose. The development of enzyme immunoassays has permitted a more scientific appraisal, allowing estimation of circulating specific venom and antivenom concentrations at any time after the bite in the patient's blood. It is therefore possible to measure accurately the efficacy of antivenom in the neutralization and clearance of venom antigen. In Brazil, it appears that clinicians treat patients with excessive amounts of highly efficient antivenoms and this results in an unacceptably high incidence of reactions. In Sri Lanka, the use of imported, Indian antivenom is relatively ineffective in neutralizing the venoms of Sri Lankan snakes, demonstrating the real problem of venom variability within individual species. In West Africa, the improved clearance of venom following treatment of Echis victims with a monospecific as opposed to a polyspecific antivenom has been demonstrated, and new, smaller fragment, Fab antivenoms have been developed and are now under clinical assessment. Such clinically-based immunological studies should result in more efficient and controlled use of expensive antivenoms for treatment of systemic envenoming and the accurate assessment of newly designed products. Such studies also emphasise the importance of individual countries producing their own antivenoms for treatment of systemic envenoming. Likewise, the use of such objective systems now enables the use of first-aid measures such as tourniquets to be properly assessed.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed1979

Snake bite in Australia--the problems involved and a protocol for hospital management.

Despite a great deal of original research into Australian snakes and their complex venoms, there is still confusion about the correct first-aid and hospital management of the bitten patient. This review illustrates the difficulties in diagnosis and treatment and presents a well tried protocol for the successful management of snake bite.

Antivenins↗
PubMed2001

Venomous snake husbandry in Thailand.

A captive breeding program for venomous Thai snakes was established at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute at Bangkok, Thailand. This was necessary to secure a stable, healthy, and species-confirmed source of snake venom for antivenom production. In 1994, wild-caught specimens were collected, sexed, quarantined, and housed appropriately. All data in this report, with the exclusion of Table 6, were collected from 1994 to 1997. Two species were bred successfully in captivity to date during this study period. Although captive breeding has not yet been achieved with all species and subspecies, our early success was encouraging.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1990

Unusual aspects of the venom apparatus of the blue coral snake, Maticora bivirgata.

Light and transmission electron microscopic observations of the venom gland of the blue coral snake revealed a main venom gland and a long duct. The main secretory cell showed characteristic features of a protein secreting cell, with small microvilli, and a cytoplasm containing vacuoles and vesicles. Another type of "dark cell" and a third type of "basal cell" were also seen. "Nerve terminals" supplying the gland showed pleomorphic vesicles. The compressor muscle surrounding the venom gland showed the A band, Z disc, and H zone. Satellite cells were seen among muscle fibres. The neuromuscular junctions supplying the muscle showed clear vesicles. Scanning electron microscopy of the fangs showed the entrance lumen, discharge orifice, suture and the dental ridge. These findings are compared with relevant structures in other snake species.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Snake venoms.

Snake venoms are complex mixtures containing many different biologically active proteins and peptides. A number of these proteins act on components of the haemostatic system in humans. The paper focuses on those venom constituents that affect the blood coagulation pathway, endothelial cells and platelets. Several highly purified venom enzymes have been used clinically as anticoagulants, and other venom proteins are being used in preclinical research to investigate their possible therapeutic potential. Haemostatically active components are distributed widely in the venom of many different snake species. In no case are all the components described below found in any single venom. Venom components can be grouped into several categories depending on their haemostatic effect. The following haemostatically active components are discussed in this chapter: enzymes that cause fibrinogen coagulation: enzymes that degrade fibrin(ogen); plasminogen activator; prothrombin activators; factor V activator; factor X activator; anticoagulant activities: enzymes with haemorrhagic activity; platelet aggregation inducers: and platelet aggregation inhibitors.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Envenomation following the bite of a wandering garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans).

Following a prolonged bite by a large specimen of the wandering garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans), symptoms of envenomation rapidly developed. Swelling, edema, pain, and localized hemorrhaging occurred but without the subsequent onset of systemic manifestations. The bite recipient was carefully examined and the evolution of poisoning monitored. Depending upon duration of the bite and inclination of the snake, members of this species are capable of occasionally causing mild envenomation in humans, inducing localized poisoning not unlike that seen following bites by small Crotalidae (pit vipers).

Child↗
PubMed1991

Diagnosis of snake venoms by a reverse latex agglutination test.

A reverse latex agglutination test using protein A column purified rabbit antivenom IgG-sensitized latex particles was developed for the detection of the six medically important snake venoms of Thailand. The detection limit of the reverse latex agglutination test was 0.16 to 1.2 micrograms/mL of crude venoms. Cross-reactions with heterologous venoms were observed at concentrations 460 to 16000 times that of homologous venoms. Detection of various snake venoms in clinical specimens was carried out by the reverse latex agglutination test. The sensitivity was 52.5% of the 59 serum samples. There was one (1.69%) false positive sample. The positive detection of venom in wound swabs (26 cases) was 38.5% and was not statistically different from that observed in paired serum samples. Interference from human plasma, serum and urine on the reverse latex agglutination test could be eliminated by adsorption with normal rabbit IgG-coated latex suspension or by heat inactivation at 56 degrees C for 30 min. Prozone effect observed in some sera was eliminated by heat inactivation at 56 degrees C for 30 min. The sensitized latex particles were stable at 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C for at least 3 months. Cycles of freezing-thawing and lyophilization did not change their reactivities. The total test time was about 40 min.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2003

Vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) bite in a dog.

A vine snake bite in a dog is reported. There was continued minor bleeding from the assumed nose bite site for 4 days. Currently manufactured snakebite antivenom is not effective against vine snake bites and treatment is supportive.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Clinical features of neurotoxic snake bite and response to antivenom in 47 children.

Among 47 children admitted to the Chulalongkorn Medical School Hospital for neurotoxic snake bite, the attackers were identified in 15; the cobra (Naja naja) was the snake involved in all cases. Clinical manifestations in all 47 children appeared to follow a similar pattern. Drowsiness heralded the systemic effects in most of the patients. The characteristic systemic signs were those resulting from the neuromuscular effects of the venom and included ptosis, frothy saliva, slurred speech, respiratory failure, and paralysis of the skeletal muscles. These episodes occurred within 8 hours in 94% of the cases, and at the latest 19 hours following the bite. In some cases unconsciousness accompanied respiratory failure. Necrosis in the region of the bite, the prominent local sign, developed in 40% of the cases at the end of the 1st week after the bite. Infusion of specific antivenom was an effective therapeutic measure for the neuromuscular changes. Respiratory assistance was mandatory in cases of respiratory failure. Edrophonium chloride demonstrated a supportive role as a countermeasure against the neuromuscular effects.

Antivenins↗
PubMed1977

An unusual snake bite story.

The case is reported of a seven-year-old girl who was bitten by a tiger snake and sustained severe liver, skeletal muscle and myocardial muscle damage as a result of envenomation. She recovered after treatment with polyvalent snake bite antivenom preceded by promethazine.

Antivenins↗
PubMed1978

Australia's potentially most venomous snake: Parademansia microlepidotus.

Studies on the venom of the small-scaled or fierce snake, Parademansia microlepidotus, suggested that its combination of high toxicity and relatively large venom yield make it the most venomous snake in Australia. The species is distinct from the taipan, but its venom is neutralized by taipan antivenom but not other monospecific antivenoms.

Antivenins↗
PubMed1998

[Acute management of patients bitten by poisonous snakes].

The management of poisonous snake bites includes first aid and clinical medical treatment. First aid consists of reassurement of the patient, immobilisation of the bitten limb and rapid transport to the nearest hospital to monitor the vital functions. In no case suction, incision or tight bandages should be applied. The degree of envenomation can be classified in three categories depending on the spread of the symptoms: no symptoms, only local non-progressive symptoms, and systemic or local rapidly progressive symptoms (severe envenomation). Antivenin therapy is indicated in severe envenomation. Because of the risk of anaphylactic reactions or serum sickness, antivenin should be given with great caution. Antibiotic therapy and tetanus prophylaxis are advised in all cases. Immediate consultation with the National Intoxication Centre of the Rijksinstitut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) is always warranted; telephone: 030-2748888. In a national protocol, which is available at the RIVM, the Harbour Hospital Rotterdam, the Academic Medical Centre and Artis Zoo Amsterdam, the correct management of snake bites is described. An overview of all antivenins available in the Netherlands is also given in this protocol.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed2002

[Mortality from snake bites, wild and domestic animal bites and arthropod stings in the savannah zone of eastern Senegal].

From 1976 to 1999, we conducted a prospective study of overall and cause-specific mortality among the population of 42 villages of south-eastern Senegal. Of 4,228 deaths registered during this period, 26 were brought on by snakebites, 4 by invertebrate stings and 8 by other wild or domestic animals. The average annual mortality rate from snakebite was 14 deaths per 100,000 population. Among persons aged 1 year or more, 0.9% (26/2,880) of deaths were caused by snakebite and this cause represented 28% (26/94) of the total number of deaths by accident. We also investigated the snake fauna of the area. Of 1,280 snakes belonging to 34 species that were collected, one-third were dangerous and the proportion of Viperidae, Elapidae and Atractaspididae was 23%, 11% and 0.6%, respectively. The saw-scaled viper Echis ocellatus was the most abundant species (13.6%). Other venomous species were Causus maculatus (6.5%), Naja katiensis (5.5%), Bitis arietans (2.7%), Elapsoidea trapei (2.4%), Naja nigricollis (1.2%), Naja melanoleuca (1.1%), Atractaspis aterrima (0.4%), Dendroaspis polylepis (0.3%) and Naja haje (0.1%).

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Enzymes of snake venoms].

Snakes' venom is a mixture of biologically active substances, containing proteins and peptides. A number of these proteins interact with haemostasis system components. Activators and inhibitors affecting blood coagulation and fibrinolysis systems are of special interest. Venom components can be classified into three main groups, such as procoagulants, anticoagulants and fibrinolytic enzymes according to their action. This review is focused on enzymes from Agkistrodon halys halys venom. They are thrombine-like enzyme, named Ancystron-H, flbrinogenolytic enzyme, protein C activator and platelet aggregation inhibitor. Ancystron-H is used for determination of fibrinogen level in blood plasma of patients undergoing heparin treatment and blood coagulation inhibitors accumulation. The fibrinogenolytic enzyme can be used as the instrument for protein-protein interactions in fibrinogen-fibrin system. The protein C activator is used for protein C level determination in blood plasma with different pathologies. Functions of the platelet aggregation inhibitor, belonging to disintegrins group, can be used for development of antithrombotic preparations. Information about the use of snake venoms in science and medicine is presented.

Ancrod↗
PubMed1991

[Venomous snake bites].

Although venomous snakebites are not a serious world wide problem from the epidemiological point of view and are rare under our conditions, it is frequently a very serious and life threatening matter. The patient's prognosis depends among others also on early adequate and comprehensive therapeutic measures. The authors give a list of poisonous snakes and types of toxins and their action on man. Next they describe principles of first aid, specific and non-specific therapy of snakebites and complications resulting from intoxication. The article is supplemented by a special chapter on Viper berus and several clinical cases of snakebites by tropical poisonous snakes.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Death caused by a constricting snake--an infant death.

A 21-month-old male was found dead in his crib. An escaped pet python snake (Python reticulatus) was found near the child on a cribside shelf. Autopsy findings included petechiae associated with asphyxial death plus puncture wounds consistent with the reptile's teeth. This report details this 1982 death of a child in Reno, Nevada, and includes illustration of the reptile's bite marks plus description of snake jaw mechanics in swallowing.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Snake bites by Italian viperids: diagnosis and therapy].

In Italy ophidiasis by viper snakes seems to be in light, but in continuous increase; may be the mortality is to be inferior to one per cent, even if there aren't any reliable statistics. The Authors, finding embarrassment and unpreparedness from the Italian physician in such a situation, intend to provide with this work a correct diagnostic-therapeutic iter to be followed in a case of snakebite. Here are reported and discussed the essential data for the diagnosis of viper bite: snake identification, wound inspection, local and general symptomatology, laboratory data and principal complications. Afterwards, they face the treatment, dividing it in interventions to be always effected and if necessary; they suggest to treat hypovolemic shock with an dopamine intravenous infusion (in more serious cases: antiophidic serum). The Authors illustrate the cases where they can use the antivenom, indicating doses, administration modalities and therapy of the incidental anaphylaxis; besides they warn its abuse, that in Italy seems to be rather frequent and totally unjustified.

Adolescent↗