Mambas (genus Dendroaspis) are among the most feared venomous African snakes. Without medical treatment, mamba bites are frequently fatal. First-aid treatment includes lymphatic retardation with the pressure immobilization technique. Medical management comprises continuous monitoring, securing patency of the airway, ensuring adequate ventilation, symptomatic measures, and administration of spec...

Current available data on snake bites in Nepal are based solely on hospital statistics. This community-based study aimed at evaluating the impact of snake bites and determining the risk factors associated with a fatal outcome in southeastern Nepal. A total of 1,817 households, selected by a random proportionate sampling method, were visited by trained field workers in five villages. Extensive d...

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies snake bites as neglected public health problem affecting mostly tropical and subtropical countries. In Africa there are an estimated 1 million snake bites annually with about half needing a specific treatment. Women, children and farmers in poor rural communities in developing countries are the most affected. Case management of snake bites are not ...

BACKGROUND Bites by poisonous European snakes of the genus Vipera lead to local tissue damage and systemic symptoms such as generalized oedema, hypotension, gastrointestinal symptoms, haemolysis and renal dysfunction. Not rarely anaphylactic symptoms like urticaria, localized angioedema and asthma are observed. OBJECTIVE To look for snake venom-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibodies in pat...

Angioedema is an intense often disfiguring but temporary swelling of a localized area which usually involves superficially lying structures like skin, mucosa along with subcutaneous tissues. Areas are affected by angioedema have wide range starting from the face, lips, tongue, pharynx, supraglottic and rarely, subglottic area. It might also effect gastrointestinal mucous membranes, genitalia, h...

During the summer period 2011-2012, seven widow spider bites in Greece were reported to the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Widow spiders (in the genus Latrodectus) are found all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US. Alpha-latrotoxin (main mammalian toxin) causes the toxic effects observed in humans. Victims should receive timely medical care...

BACKGROUND Marine stings and envenomation are fairly common in Malaysia. Possible contact to various marine life occurs during diving, fishing and food handling. Even though majority of fish stings are benign, there are several venomous species such as puffer fish, scorpion fish, lionfish, stingray and stonefish that require urgent medical treatment. Stonefish is one of the most venomous fish i...

A 14-year-old previously healthy boy presents with a 2-week history of purpuric rash with worsening pain of lower extremities. He has an unremarkable past medical and surgical history, with age-appropriate development. Two weeks prior to presentation, he developed “bug bites” around his ankles bilaterally with minimal pruritis. Over the next 3 days, this rash began to progress to his mid-calves...