ABSTRACT
The study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Isra University, Hyderabad. Seventy three cases of viperidae snake bite were studied to observe the pattern of coagulopathy. All had prolonged clotting time at the time of admission. Prothrombin time was increased in 56 cases, activated partial thromboplastin time was increased in 63 cases, bleeding time was normal in all cases. Platelet count was decreased in 28 cases and fibrinogen levels were decreased in 36 cases. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was found to be the predominant pattern of coagulopathy in viperidae snake bite cases
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Snake Venoms/blood , Snake Venoms/adverse effects , Blood Coagulation Disorders/blood , Blood Coagulation Disorders/chemically induced , Blood Coagulation Disorders/diagnosis , Blood Coagulation Disorders/mortality , Blood Coagulation Disorders/pathology , Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation , Blood Coagulation TestsABSTRACT
Three fractions (F1, F2 and F3) were obtained from the venom of the Egyptian cobra Naja haje by gel filtration. F1 and F2 had indirect hemolytic effects on rabbit erytrocytes. The HU50 (the amount of the fraction causing 50 per cent hemolysis) values of F1 and F2 were 12.04 ñ 3.89 and 36.57 ñ 2.20 ug, respectively. The effects of the three cobra venom fractions on lipid metabolism were studied after 1, 2 3 and 4 hours. Serum total lipids and cholesterol were significantly decreased at almost all tested times, but variable changes were observed in the serum triglycerides. Serum inorganic phosphorus levels were significantly increased with F1 and F2 administration more than that with the F3 fraction. These results suggest that F1 and F2 possess phospholipase A2-like activities and their effects on the lipid metabolism is more intense than that of F3.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rabbits , Cholesterol/metabolism , Elapidae , Hemolysis , Lipids/metabolism , Snake Venoms/toxicity , Triglycerides/metabolism , Chromatography, Gel , Erythrocytes/metabolism , Phosphorus/metabolism , Phospholipases A/metabolism , Snake Venoms/analysis , Snake Venoms/blood , Snake Venoms/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Eighty-two patients with snakebites were seen at King Fahad Hospital [KFH] in Al Baha during the period from 1983G to 1989G and were retrospectively reviewed. Most common symptoms were pain [80.5%] and swelling [77%]. Hemostatic abnormalities were found in 36 patients [44%] and were usually present on admission but may be delayed up to 20 hours after snakebite. All of these patients had local swellings, 17 had low hemoglobin and 29 had leukocytosis, suggesting systemic envenomation. Five patients had local skin necrosis, and three had to have fasciotomy for compartment syndrome. All patients, except one death, responded to treatment [antivenin, plasma products, or both]. These data emphasize that hemostatic abnormality is the major complication of snakebite in the Al Baha District of Saudi Arabia