Krait bite poisoning in manipal region of Southern India.

Krait commonly inhabits the South Asian countries and is regarded as the most dangerous species of venomous snake in the Indian subcontinent. This prospective research included the consecutive cases of Krait bite cases admitted to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal during August 2003 and November 2005. All the victims of Krait bite were females aged between 17 and 35 years. Victims were from a rural background and most of them were bitten indoors and during the night time. Most of the bites involved the lower limbs. Signs of envenomation (neurological symptoms) were observed in 50% of the cases. In the only case of fatal outcome in our study, there was a delay in diagnosis of Krait bite owing to the absence of bite marks. The case emphasizes on the fact that the possibility of snake bite should be considered in an otherwise healthy person who presents with sudden onset of neuroparalytic features.

Epidemiology of cobra bite in Manipal, Southern India.

Envenomation by poisonous snakes is considered as an occupational hazard. Cobra bite is commonly encountered in the South Asian countries. The prospective research was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal to study the epidemiology, manifestations and treatment of cobra snakebite cases admitted to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal during August 2003 and November 2005. Twenty cases of cobra bite were reported during the study period. The victims of cobra bite predominantly were females. Mean age of victims was 41.9 years. Maximum cases occurred during the summer and pre-monsoon months, during daytime and involved the upper limbs. Ptosis was the chief neurotoxic feature followed by dysarthria. Cellulitis as a complication was observed in most of the cases. Polyvalent Anti Snake Venom (ASV) vials were used as specific treatment. No mortality was reported during the study period.