Bites by the Monocled Cobra, Naja kaouthia, in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh: Epidemiology, Clinical Features of Envenoming and Management of 70 Identified Cases.

Faiz, M A, Ahsan, M F, Ghose, A, Rahman, M R, Amin, R, Hossain, M, Tareq, M N, Jalil, M A, Kuch, U, Theakston, R D G, Warrell, D A and Harris, J B (2017) 'Bites by the Monocled Cobra, Naja kaouthia, in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh: Epidemiology, Clinical Features of Envenoming and Management of 70 Identified Cases.'. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 96, Issue 4, pp. 876-884.

Preview

Text Am_J_Trop_Med_Hyg_Faiz-et-al_Accepted_version_2017.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

We describe 70 cases of monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) bite admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. The biting snakes were identified by examining the dead snake and/or detecting N. kaouthia venom antigens in patients' serum. Bites were most common in the early morning and evening during the monsoon (May–July). Ligatures were routinely applied to the bitten limb before admission. Thirty‐seven patients consulted traditional healers, most of whom made incisions around the bite site. Fifty‐eight patients experienced severe neurotoxicity and most suffered swelling and pain of the bitten limb. The use of an Indian polyvalent antivenom in patients exhibiting severe neurotoxicity resulted in clinical improvement but most patients experienced moderate‐to‐severe adverse reactions. Antivenom did not influence local blistering and necrosis appearing in 19 patients; 12 required debridement. Edrophonium significantly improved the ability of patients to open the eyes, endurance of upward gaze, and peak expiratory flow rate suggesting that a longer‐acting anticholinesterase drug (neostigmine) could be recommended for first aid. The study suggested that regionally appropriate antivenom should be raised against the venoms of the major envenoming species of Bangladesh and highlighted the need to improve the training of staff of local medical centers and to invest in the basic health infrastructure in rural communities.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QV Pharmacology > Toxicology > General Toxicology > QV 600 General works WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WD Disorders of Systemic, Metabolic or Environmental Origin, etc > Animal Poisons > WD 410 Reptiles
Faculty: Department:	Biological Sciences > Department of Tropical Disease Biology
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0842
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	22 Feb 2017 14:30
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2018 13:14
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/6829

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item