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BACKGROUND: The desert horned vipers (Cerastes cerastes and C. gasperettii) are the most familiar snakes of the great deserts of North Africa and the Middle East, including the plains of Iraq. They are responsible for many human snake bites. In Western countries, they are popular among exotic-snake keepers. AIM: To investigate mechanisms of life-threatening envenoming and treatment. DESIGN: Clinical investigation. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory studies with measurement of serum venom antigen concentrations by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Two men bitten while handling captive Saharan horned vipers (Cerastes cerastes) in Europe developed extensive local swelling and life-threatening systemic envenoming, characterized by coagulopathy, increased fibrinolysis, thrombocytopenia, micro-angiopathic haemolytic anaemia and acute renal failure. The clinical picture is explicable by the presence in C. cerastes venom of several thrombin-like, Factor-X-activating, platelet-aggregating, haemorrhagic and nephrotoxic components. In one case, prophylactic use of subcutaneous epinephrine may have contributed to intracranial haemorrhage. The roles in treatment of heparin (rejected) and specific antivenom (recommended) are discussed. DISCUSSION: Cerastes cerastes is capable of life-threatening envenoming in humans. Optimal treatment of envenoming is by early administration of specific antivenom, and avoidance of ineffective and potentially-dangerous ancillary methods.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/qjmed/hch118

Type

Journal article

Journal

QJM

Publication Date

11/2004

Volume

97

Pages

717 - 727

Keywords

Acute Kidney Injury, Adult, Animals, Antivenins, Blood Coagulation Disorders, Hemolysis, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Snake Bites, Viper Venoms, Viperidae