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Neurotoxic envenomation by the South African coral snake (Aspidelaps lubricus): A case report.
- Source :
-
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology [Toxicon] 2019 Mar 01; Vol. 159, pp. 38-40. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jan 17. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- The South African coral snake (Aspidelaps lubricus, Elapidae) has not previously been reported to cause any neurotoxic envenomations in humans. We recently treated a 44-year-old man who was bitten twice, once in each hand, by a captive South African coral snake (Aspidelaps lubricus) while feeding the female snake who had recently laid eggs. Approximately one hour after receiving the bite, he developed vomiting, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and paralysis of the bulbar and upper extremity muscles, with retention of voluntary motor control in the lower extremities. Supportive care was provided, and paralysis and respiratory failure resolved spontaneously 12 hours after onset. No antivenom for this species is available. To our knowledge, this is the first published case report of significant human envenomation by Aspidelaps lubricus. Physicians, first responders, and herpetologists should be aware of the potential for neurotoxicity in humans.<br /> (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
Animals
Humans
Male
Snake Bites therapy
Coral Snakes
Snake Bites pathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1879-3150
- Volume :
- 159
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30660557
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.01.001