ABSTRACT
SnakeMap is a national cloud-based, veterinary snakebite registry. It was designed to prospectively collect data of the clinical circumstances and temporospatial information on cases of snake envenomation in dogs and cats. We herein introduce the project and summarise the data from the first 4 years of SnakeMap. The registry is a veterinary community-based online database allowing case entry from veterinary hospitals across Australia. Registry data comprise hospital characteristics, patient characteristics, envenoming snake type, treatment and outcome variables, including time and geolocation of the snake bite. We present summative information on select key variables from the SnakeMap registry (1 July 2015 to 30 June 2019). Twenty-eight hospitals from 6 states/territories entered 624 cases into the registry, including 419 dogs (67%) and 205 cats (33%). Bite time was available in 216 animals of which 90 (42%) were reported to be bitten in the 3 hours between 03:00 pm and 05:59 pm; median bite to presentation interval was 60 (interquartile range [IQR] 30, 211) minutes in dogs and 95 (IQR 41, 238) minutes in cats. Bites occurred in the owner's yard in 356 dogs (85%) and 53 cats (26%). A snake venom detection kit was used in 172 cases (28%) and antivenom was administered in 523 cases (85%). Most animals (n = 534, 88%) survived to discharge (median hospitalisation of 25 [IQR 16, 62] hours). SnakeMap effectively collects relevant clinical data from dogs and cats with presumed snake bite and provides locally specific information on the epidemiology of snake envenomation in small animals.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases , Dog Diseases , Snake Bites/veterinary , Animals , Antivenins , Australia , Cats , Dogs , Elapidae , RegistriesABSTRACT
Platelets play a vital role in the coagulation, yet the potential for differences in platelet function, between adults and children, remains underexplored. This is despite the age-related variation in haemostatic proteins, that is encompassed by the term Developmental Haemostasis. Hemotoxins found in the venoms of Australian snakes mimic human blood coagulation factors. The effects of Australian snake venoms on platelets, as well as the possible differential response in adults and children were subject of this study.
Subject(s)
Elapid Venoms/pharmacology , Elapidae , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , InfantABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The funnel web spiders, encompassed within the genera Atrax and Hadronyche, are the most dangerous spiders in the world. Although the incidence of envenomation is low, funnel web spiders remain a cause of considerable public concern. However, most common spider bites produce only minor effects-requiring only symptomatic treatment. OBJECTIVE: This article describes the clinical features and treatment of the funnel web spider and that of its close relative, the mouse spiders. It also covers the question of necrotising arachnidism as well as bites from other common species of spiders. DISCUSSION: Appropriate first aid combined with the administration of specific antivenom can be life saving for funnel web spider bites. True necrotising arachnidism appears to be rare. If suspected, clinicians must first consider the very wide differential diagnoses.
Subject(s)
First Aid/methods , Spider Bites/diagnosis , Spider Bites/therapy , Spider Venoms/poisoning , Spiders/classification , Animals , Australia , Clinical Protocols , Diagnosis, Differential , Family Practice/methods , Humans , Skin Diseases/diagnosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Redback spider bite is thought to be the commonest serious spider bite in Australia. The treatment for the envenomation syndrome it causes, termed 'latrodectism', is the most frequently used antivenom in Australia. Several cases of a 'latrodectism-like' illness after cupboard spider bites ('steatodism') have also appeared to respond to redback antivenom. OBJECTIVE: This article describes the key presenting features of redback spider envenomation and discusses treatment for bites by this spider and that of its close relatives, the cupboard spider. It is intended that this information will assist general practitioners in the diagnosis and management of spider bite in Australia. DISCUSSION: Redback spider antivenom is safe and appears to be broadly cross reactive with the venom of other spiders of the Theridiidae family. Guidelines for the use of this product are also provided.
Subject(s)
Spider Bites/diagnosis , Spider Bites/therapy , Antivenins/administration & dosage , Humans , Spider Venoms/adverse effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many venomous marine creatures inhabit Australian waters, causing significant morbidity and occasional fatalities. Part 1 of this article looks at jellyfish envenomations, an important overall cause of marine injuries. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the features of envenomation by some of the more commonly encountered jellyfish of medical significance, and the recommended first aid and medical management of such envenomations. DISCUSSION: It is intended that the information contained in this article will be informative to general practitioners dealing with jellyfish stings throughout Australia. Much of what we know has come from the astute observations of GPs in tropical Australia. However, there remains a lot to be learnt about jellyfish envenomation.
Subject(s)
Bites and Stings/diagnosis , Bites and Stings/therapy , Cnidarian Venoms/poisoning , Antivenins/therapeutic use , Australia , Bites and Stings/complications , Child , Child, Preschool , Cubozoa , First Aid/methods , Humans , Hydrozoa , Hypersensitivity, Delayed/etiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Australian waters contain a variety of venomous creatures, including jellyfish, stinging fish, blue-ringed octopus, sea snakes, cone snails and stingrays. OBJECTIVE: Part 2 of this article focusses on common marine envenomations other than jellyfish stings. DISCUSSION: Even though mortality from these envenomations is low, there is a high level of morbidity especially with stonefish and other stinging fish envenomations. Some envenomations, however, are serious enough to require antivenom treatment and deaths still occasionally occur.
Subject(s)
Bites and Stings/diagnosis , Bites and Stings/therapy , Conotoxins/poisoning , Elapid Venoms/poisoning , Fish Venoms/poisoning , Mollusk Venoms/poisoning , Australia , First Aid/methods , HumansSubject(s)
Elapid Venoms/analysis , Elapidae , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/standards , Snake Bites/diagnosis , Adult , Animals , False Positive Reactions , Humans , MaleSubject(s)
Bandages , Bites and Stings/therapy , First Aid/adverse effects , First Aid/methods , Immobilization/adverse effects , Scyphozoa , Acetic Acid/therapeutic use , Animals , Australia , Bites and Stings/etiology , Disease Models, Animal , Evidence-Based Medicine , Humans , Practice Guidelines as Topic/standards , Pressure , Research Design , Treatment OutcomeSubject(s)
Cause of Death , Insect Bites and Stings/mortality , Wasps , Anaphylaxis/mortality , Animals , Australia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Wasp sting fatalities have rarely been reported in Australia. We used data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and State coronial authorities to investigate deaths from wasp stings in Australia from 1979 through 1998. Seven cases were identified, all involving men in rural settings. Five of the seven victims had prior histories of wasp or bee venom allergy, or both, but none carried injectable adrenalin. All patients with a history of systemic Hymenoptera sting allergy should undergo assessment for immunotherapy and carry adrenalin.
Subject(s)
Insect Bites and Stings/mortality , Wasps , Adult , Aged , Animals , Australia/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rural PopulationSubject(s)
Antivenins/adverse effects , Insect Bites and Stings/therapy , Pain/prevention & control , Tourniquets/adverse effects , Anesthesia, Conduction , Animals , Antivenins/administration & dosage , Australia , Humans , Hypertension/etiology , Injections, Intravenous , Pain/etiology , Serum Sickness/etiology , SpidersABSTRACT
We reviewed the records of the Australian Venom Research Unit and The Alfred Hospital Department of Hyperbaric Medicine from January 1992 to July 1998 and found 15 cases of skin ulceration after spider bite that could be followed up with the patient and the treating physician. Fourteen patients had skin ulceration attributed to white-tailed spider bites but in only three was this confirmed. One patient had skin necrosis after a confirmed black house spider bite. Recurrent skin ulceration occurred in nine of the 15 patients.
Subject(s)
Skin Ulcer/etiology , Spider Bites/etiology , Adult , Aged , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Australia/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Hyperbaric Oxygenation , Male , Middle Aged , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Skin Transplantation , Skin Ulcer/epidemiology , Spider Bites/epidemiology , Spiders/classificationSubject(s)
Elapidae , Emergency Treatment , Immobilization , Snake Bites/therapy , Animals , Humans , PressureABSTRACT
Five patients with confirmed funnel-web spider bites (Hadronyche infensa) presented to Nambour General Hospital, in south-east Queensland, between 1992 and 1998. Two patients required antivenom; low doses of antivenom were effective. Patients were bitten in spring and early summer. In areas such as this, where funnel-web spider bites are reported less frequently than in New South Wales, clinicians and the community should be aware of the risks and immediate management of these bites.
