Intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of snake bite envenoming: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT

The standard treatment for snake bite envenoming is with snake antivenon (AVS). Reports to date on the efficacy of AVS have been equivocal. Some studies have shown a beneficial effect on the coagulopathy, while its effect on neurotoxicity is questionable. AVS therapy is also associated with a high incidence of reactions. We conducted a pilot study to compare the standard AVS therapy, with AVS plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), in the treatment of snake bite evenoming. Our study indicates that the addition of IVIG to the standard AVS regimen, eliminates the need to repeat AVS for envenoming associated with coagulopathy.