Because the majority of colubrid species are considered harmless to human beings, colubrid snakebites are rarely reported. However, the venom of Rhabdophis, which is part of the Colubridae family, is procoagulant and leads to severe coagulopathy. Here, we present a case of disseminated intravascular coagulation with enhanced fibrinolysis following a Rhabdophis bite. Although coagulopathy can be...

Background Snakebite has recently been declared a global public health emergency. Empirical data showing the true burden of snakebite is lacking. Treatment with specific antivenoms is considered the only cure. However, several factors have led to an ongoing antivenom crisis. This study offers recommendations concerning the improvement of antivenom access and control, by providing an overview of...

A multi-dose injector to facilitate the immunization of horse by the ‘low dose, low volume multi-site’ protocol in antivenom/antitoxin production is described. With the device, 20 subcutaneous injections of about 0.1 ml of CFA emulsified immunogen around the horse’s neck could be easily accomplished within 3 minutes without any stress to the animal. Also described is an apron to prevent blister...

Hyperimmunization of horses with specific antigens to harvest antisera is associated with high incidence of liver amyloidosis. The histopathologic examination is the gold standard method for diagnosis of the hepatic amyloidosis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the clinical manifestations and serum values of appropriate chemical constituents due to liver injury, provide the...

OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical syndrome associated with definite tiger snake (Notechis spp) envenoming and to examine the ability of tiger snake antivenom (TSAV) to bind free venom in vivo. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a prospective cohort study within the Australian Snakebite Project, reviewing all definite tiger snake envenoming cases between October 2004 and June 2011...

BACKGROUND Current therapy for crotaline snakebite includes antivenin (Crotalidae) polyvalent, an antivenom with numerous adverse effects. We compared the efficacy and safety of 2 dosing regimens with a new antivenom, Crotalinae polyvalent immune Fab (Fab AV). METHODS A single dose of Fab AV alone (as-needed [PRN] group) was compared with an initial dose plus repeated treatments during 18 hou...

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected public health challenge of compelling importance in many regions of the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and Papua-New Guinea. Addressing the problem of snakebite effectively demands an integrated multifocal approach, targeting complex problems and involving many participants. It must comprise: (a) Acquisition of reliable informatio...

BACKGROUND Russell's viper envenoming is a major problem in South Asia and causes venom induced consumption coagulopathy. This study aimed to investigate the kinetics and dynamics of venom and clotting function in Russell's viper envenoming. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In a prospective cohort of 146 patients with Russell's viper envenoming, we measured venom concentrations, international n...