OBJECTIVE We aimed to study the outcomes of severe snakebites in patients admitted to Ngwelezana Hospital in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, the seasonal variations, and the effectiveness and complications of antivenom. DESIGN A prospective observational outcomes study was conducted over one year (1 June 2007 to 31 May 2008). The study group was from the north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal region of Sou...

Background: Immunotherapy is the only specific treatment for scorpion envenomation. In the present study, the protective effects of polyvalent antivenom against histopathological complications in kidneys and marker changes (BUN and creatinine) induced by Mesobuthus eupeus (Me) scorpion venom was investigated in anesthetized rabbits. Methods: Twenty four rabbits were randomized into four gro...

Bites and envenoming by the carpet viper Echis carinatus are common medical emergencies in parts of Nigeria, but the most effective use of the various commercially produced antivenoms in treatment has not been established. Pasteur Paris Echis monospecific and Behringwerke West and North Africa Bitis-Echis-Naja polyspecific antivenoms were compared in two groups of seven patients with incoagulab...

Before the introduction of the first Australian antivenom was the era of the self-styled 'snakemen' and their diverse snakebite remedies. Many received multiple bites from highly dangerous snakes, some of which were deliberately taken to either prove a certain treatment or liven up their show. The mortality rate among these handlers and showmen was high. Production of the first effective Austra...

Envenomation by spiders of the genus Phoneutria ("banana spider") may be lethal, especially in children. The only available specific treatment is the use of antivenom, which is produced by only one laboratory in the world. In this study we report the development of an equine F (ab')2 experimental antivenom raised against the venom of Phoneutria nigriventer. The antivenom neutralized the venom o...

Serum Anti Ular Bisa (SABU) is the only snake antivenom produced locally in Indonesia; however, its effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated. This study aimed to assess the protein composition and neutralization efficacy of SABU. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, size-exclusion liquid chromatography and shotgun proteomics revealed that SABU consists of F(ab')2 but a significant amo...

In this study, the placental localization of PAG-like transcripts and genomic existence of PAG-like amplicons in new-world (Lp, Lama pacos, alpaca) and old-world camelids (Cb, Camelus bactrianus, bactrian; Cd, Camelus dromedarius; dromedary) are reported for the first time. Sections of Lp (150-347 days post coitum), Cd (43-90 cm crown-rump length) and Cb (term) placentas were used for heterolog...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of continuous infusion of hydrocortisone with or without chlorpheniramine bolus against early adverse reactions to polyspecific antivenom. DESIGN AND SETTING Prospective, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at General Hospital, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. SUBJECTS 52 patients with snake envenoming were randomised to receive infusion of hydro...

Context. Snakebite envenomation is common and may result in systemic coagulopathy. Antivenom can correct resulting laboratory abnormalities; however, despite antivenom use, coagulopathy may recur, persist, or result in death after a latency period. Case Details. A 50-year-old previously healthy man presented to the emergency department after a rattlesnake bite to his right upper extremity. His ...

The available Razi Institute antivenom is still, empirically, used by intramuscular (IM) administration for the treatment of scorpion stings in humans by six medically dangerous species including Hemiscorpius lepturus (H. lepturus). The aim of this study was to assess the neutralizing ability and effectiveness of the antivenom in inhibiting hemoglobinuria, biochemical changes, increased microal...