Hemiscorpius lepturus envenomation exhibits various pathological changes in the affected tissues, including skin, blood cells, cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The enzymatic activity and protein component of the venom have not been described previously. In the present study, the electrophoretic profile of H. lepturus venom was determined by SDS-PAGE (12 and 15%), resulting in major p...

Pit vipers (subfamily Crotalinae) are responsible for most venomous snakebites in the United States. The mixture of proteins with cytotoxic, proteolytic, and/or neurotoxic enzymes in snake venom varies by species. Treatment in the field consists of safe identification of the species of snake and rapid transport of the patient to the nearest health care facility. Swelling, bruising, and systemic...

Vipera berus is the only viper i.e. venomous (poisonous) snake that is found in Poland. Snakebites occur rarely und usually follow attempts of catching the viper or accidental treading on it. Appropriate treatment consists of administering specific antivenom serum (antivenin). Four cases of snakebites hospitalized in 1989-1995 in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the University Medical S...

The management of pitviper bites remains controversial. In order to better assess the efficacy of different treatment modalities, charts of 107 patients hospitalized for pitviper bites at University of North Carolina Hospitals between 1952 and 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. The series included 68 copperhead bites (64%), 8 cottonmouth bites (7%), 3 rattlesnake bites (3%), and 28 bites (26%)...

The most serious complications of the central nervous system that occur after venomous snake bite are intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic stroke.We present a rarely seen central nervous system complication, acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis, after a treated Deinagkistrodon's viper bite.On April 5, 2015, a 50-year-old male farmer was bitten on his right leg by a Deinagkistrodon's viper. The...

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...