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AbstractWe describe 70 cases of monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) bite admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. The biting snakes were identified by examining the dead snake and/or detecting N. kaouthia venom antigens in patients' serum. Bites were most common in the early morning and evening during the monsoon (May-July). Ligatures were routinely applied to the bitten limb before admission. Thirty-seven patients consulted traditional healers, most of whom made incisions around the bite site. Fifty-eight patients experienced severe neurotoxicity and most suffered swelling and pain of the bitten limb. The use of an Indian polyvalent antivenom in patients exhibiting severe neurotoxicity resulted in clinical improvement but most patients experienced moderate-to-severe adverse reactions. Antivenom did not influence local blistering and necrosis appearing in 19 patients; 12 required debridement. Edrophonium significantly improved the ability of patients to open the eyes, endurance of upward gaze, and peak expiratory flow rate suggesting that a longer-acting anticholinesterase drug (neostigmine) could be recommended for first aid. The study suggested that regionally appropriate antivenom should be raised against the venoms of the major envenoming species of Bangladesh and highlighted the need to improve the training of staff of local medical centers and to invest in the basic health infrastructure in rural communities.

Original publication

DOI

10.4269/ajtmh.16-0842

Type

Journal article

Journal

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene

Publication Date

04/2017

Volume

96

Pages

876 - 884

Addresses

Dev Care Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Keywords

Animals, Humans, Elapidae, Snake Bites, Edrophonium, Elapid Venoms, Antivenins, First Aid, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Middle Aged, Child, Child, Preschool, Bangladesh, Female, Male, Young Adult